Koikawa Harumasa (Banki). Woman Looking out a Round Window at a Woman with a Komusō Hat / Hashira-e, c. 1800.

Artist: Koikawa Harumasa [恋川 春政] (Japanese, active 1800–1820), later known as Banki Harumasa [晩器 春政]
Signed: 晩器画 (Banki ga) on the bamboo flower container in the background
Censor’s seal: 極 (kiwame)
Publisher: Unidentified; seal matches entry in Genshoku #1017; Marks U084 (Ibiko), p. 387
Date: c. 1800
Media: Woodblock print (nishiki-e); ink and color on paper; hashira-e 62 × 11 cm (24.4 × 4.3 in)

Title: Woman Looking out a Round Window at a Woman with a Komusō Hat (Komusō sugata no bijin o mado kara miru bijin, 虚無僧姿の美人を窓から見る美人)

In this hashira-e by Banki, a woman peers out from a round window (marumado, 丸窓) at another woman standing below. The standing figure holds a large woven basket hat (komusō zukin, 虚無僧頭巾) in her hands and wears an outer robe decorated with chrysanthemum motifs (菊). The indoor figure, dressed in a long-sleeved kimono (furisode, 振袖), leans forward, resting her arms on the windowsill. Behind her hangs a bamboo flower container inscribed with the artist’s signature.

The komusō were mendicant monks of the Fuke sect, known for playing the shakuhachi (尺八) flute while obscuring their identities beneath basket hats. In this composition, the hat is held by a woman rather than worn. Since komusō were exclusively male, this role reversal adds a layer of parody, gender play, or poetic allusion to the scene.

An inscription at the upper right contains a New Year’s poem, elegantly rendered in vertical calligraphy.

Condition:
A very rare pillar print in good condition, with age-related wear.

References:

• Jacob Pins, The Japanese Pillar Print, 1982, #828

• Museum of Fine Arts, Boston: accession #54.364

• Genshoku 1017

• Marks, Publishers of Japanese Woodblock Prints, U084