Kikugawa Eizan (菊川英山) (artist 1787 – 1867)
Meoka of the Hyogoya (兵库屋目岡) from the Array of Famous Beauties on the Floral Patios (廊花名君揃)
11/1807
10 in x 15 in (Overall dimensions) Japanese color woodblock print
Signed: Kikugawa Eizan hitsu (菊川英山筆)
Publisher: Mikawaya Seiemon (Marks 328 - seal 16-011)
Censor's seal: kiwame
Date seal: 1807, 11th month
Virginia Museum of Fine Art - two panels in black and white This courtesans kimono is decorated with a lion among peonies. For a similar robe see also the Kunisada print in the Lyon Collection, #736.
This woman's obi is decorated with a dragon flying among clouds through a sky above a mountainous rocks. Scattered about the sky are symbols of the sacred Buddhist jewels. This motif has its source in Chinese art and culture.
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John Fiorillo and Peter Ujlaki noted in an article on Shigeharu in Andon that when courtesans wore clothing decorated with a dragon that it was an indication of their high rank.
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There are two panel from this composition - see the link above to these in the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. In those panels Meoka is paired with another, as of yet, unidentified courtesan.
Mikawaya Seiemon (三河屋清右衛門) (publisher)
beautiful woman picture (bijin-ga - 美人画) (genre)