Artist: Utagawa Kunisada [歌川国貞] (Japanese, 1786–1865), also known as Toyokuni III [三代目歌川豊国] Signed: 香蝶楼国貞画 (Kōchōrō Kunisada ga) in a red double gourd cartouche Publisher: jū (十) for Kojimaya Jūbei [小島屋重兵衛] (Japanese, c. 1797–1869) Date: 1842 (Tenpō 13; year of the Tiger, 寅 tora) Media: Woodblock print (nishiki-e); ink and colour on paper; uchiwa-e (fan print); 228 × 288 mm
Description:
A female figure stands at right, facing left, wearing a patterned kimono and a formal coiffure secured with combs and hairpins. Held between her lips is a small soft pouch of blue fabric decorated with white carnation motifs. At left sits an elderly Buddhist priest identified by inscription as Henjō Sōjō, shown in monastic robes with a shaved head and pronounced facial features. A circular identifying inscription accompanies the priest, and a vertical red cartouche bears the series title.
Inscriptions: - Grey roundel: Sōjō Henjō [僧正遍昭] — “High Priest Henjō,” referring to Yoshimine no Munesada [良岑宗貞] (Japanese, 816–890), waka poet and Tendai Buddhist priest, counted among the Six Poetic Immortals (Rokkasen, 六歌仙). - Red cartouche (series title): Ekyōdai rok'kasen [繪兄弟六ヶ撰] – "Matching pictures of the Six Poetry Immortals".
[With the help of Horst Greabner]
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Additional Information
| Collection | Fan print (Uchiwa-e) [団扇絵] , Japanese prints and drawings |
|---|---|
| Type / Purpose | Fan , Woodblock print |
| Period | 19 AD , Edo period [江戸時代] (1603–1868) , Mid-19th century , Tenpō era [天保] (1830–1844) |
| Country | Japan |
| Media/Technique | Ink and color on paper , Woodblock print (nishiki-e) |
| Subject | Beautiful woman (bijin-ga) , Beauty , Fan , Fan print , Japanese woodblock prints , Mitate , Rok'kasen [六歌仙] Six poetry immortals , Sōjō Henjō (Japanese, 816–890) , Uchiwa-e |
| Genre | Beauty Prints (Bijin-ga, 美人画) , Parody and Allusive Prints (Mitate-e, 見立絵) |
| Series | Ekyōdai rok'kasen [繪兄弟六ヶ撰] Matching pictures of the Six Poetry Immortals |
| Creation / Publishing year | 1842 , Tenpō 13 |
| Size | Aiban yoko-e uchiwa-e , Fan print. Uchiwa-e |
| Acquisition year | 2025 |
