Utagawa Toyokuni I (初代歌川豊国) (artist 1769 – 02/24/1825)
Bijin carrying a janome-gasa or snake's eye umbrella with 3 fan motifs, one with the Zodiac sign of the tiger - one panel of a triptych? - Yayoi (弥生), the 3rd month
1811
10.75 in x 14.5 in (Overall dimensions) Japanese color woodblock print
Signed: Toyokuni ga (豊国画)
Publisher: Tsuruya Kinsuke (Marks 554 seal 06-002)
Censor's seal: kiwame
Gyōji seal: Tsurukin (1811-14)
Museum für angewandte Kunst, Vienna
Museum of Fine Arts, Boston - Toyokuni I with fans with rat zodiac sign
Museum of Fine Arts, Boston - Toyokuni I triptych with fans with dog zodiac sign The Museum für angewandte Kunst in Vienna notes that all of the symbols on the fans in the upper part of this print are representative of the 3rd month, yayoi, a now obsolete term: the tiger, the yamabuki flowers and the covered jar with two saké cups which often appear on the shelving of the doll's festival.
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The peony decoration on the woman's outer robe and umbrella may very well represent the 'logo' for a particular house of assignation.
There are quite a few other prints from this series in the Museum für angewandte Kunst, Vienna.
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Similar prints from the collection of the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston might indicate that this print in the Lyon Collection is only one panel of a triptych.
Tsuruya Kinsuke (鶴屋金助) (publisher)
beautiful women (bijin-ga - 美人画) (genre)
Jūnishi (十二支 - 12 signs of the Zodiac) (genre)