Utagawa Kunisada (歌川国貞) / Toyokuni III (三代豊国) (artist 1786 – 01/12/1865)
The First Month (Mutsuki) from the series The Twelve Months (Jūnika tsuki no uchi - 十二ヶ月のうち 睦月) - Mitsuuji and Lady Futaba (二葉のうへ)
1851
10 in x 14 in (Overall dimensions) color woodblock print
Signed: Toyokuni ga (豊国画)
Publisher: Minatoya Kohei (Marks 332 - seal 24-074)
Censor seals: Mera and Watanabe
The Kunisada Project
Ukiyoe ni kiku
Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
National Diet Library
Allen Memorial Art Museum, Oberlin College Title and series cartouche in the upper left, with print title superimposed on a genji-mon design device, generally used to indicate a particular chapter from the 11th century novel, Tale of Genji [Genji monogatari].
Mutsuki refers to the first month of the calendar year. In ancient nomenclature Mutsuki was known as the "Month of harmony," or, "Month of affection."
Mitsuuji is wearing a 'samurai eboshi' (侍烏帽子) on his head.
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Please note the in-your-face display of the sasarindō motif.
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There is another copy of this print in the San Diego Museum of Art.
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Illustrated in a small black and white reproduction in the Illustrated Catalogues of Tokyo National Museum: Ukiyo-e Prints (3), #2841.
Genji related prints (Genji-e - 源氏絵) (genre)
Minatoya Kohei (湊屋小兵衛) (publisher)