Another fan print from the same series by Kunisada: {あつらへおり・弁慶好) Atsurae ori - Benkei gonomi
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NEWArtist: Utagawa Kunisada [歌川 国貞], a.k.a. Utagawa Toyokuni III [三代 歌川 豊国] (Japanese, 1786 – 1865) Signed: Toyokuni ga (豊國画) in a red toshidama cartouche Censor seal: Fuku (福) & Muramatsu (村松), sealed together from 3/1849 to 11/1851 Publisher: Ibaya Senzaburō [伊場屋仙三郎] (Japanese, fl. c. 1815 – 1869), san (三) in a circle, in a 'boar eye' shape Media: Aiban yoko-e uchiwa-e (団扇絵), color woodblock print, 222 x 285 mm Series: Benkei-chequered fabrics woven to order (Atsuraeori Benkei Konomi, 誂織弁慶好) or Fabric woven in Benkei taste (atsurae ori benkei gonomi, 誂織弁慶好) A bijin (美人, beautiful woman) is depicted in a refined setting, holding an unadorned uchiwa (団扇, flat fan) in her left hand while delicately raising a writing brush (筆, fude) in her right, "poised as if she is about to write something, perhaps on the fan" (LIB-1212.2017. Robert Schaap, Kunisada: Imaging Drama and Beauty). Her attire is elaborate, featuring a kimono (着物) with bold purple curves complemented by an underlayer with red geometric motifs. The background is dominated by a chequered fabric pattern, referencing the Benkei-checkered cloth (弁慶縞, Benkei-jima), traditionally associated with the twelfth-century warrior monk Musashibō Benkei (武蔵坊弁慶). This pattern holds historical and cultural significance, often symbolizing strength and resilience. The woman's elaborate hairstyle (日本髪, nihongami) is adorned with large decorative hairpins (簪, kanzashi), further emphasizing her status and elegance. The print belongs to a series that incorporates this distinctive checkered motif, connecting it to the visual traditions established by Kunisada (国貞) and his contemporary Utagawa Kuniyoshi (歌川国芳), who also produced a series of beauties wearing Benkei-checkered kimono, such as Women in Benkei-Checkered Cloth (島揃女弁慶, Shimazōroi onna Benkei, c. 1844).Reference: Robert Schaap. Kunisada: Imaging Drama and Beauty / Introduction by Sebastian Izzard, contributions by Paul Griffith and Henk. J. Herwig. — Leiden: Hotei Publishing, ©2016, p. 68, pl. 42. [With special thanks to Horst Graebner of Kunisada Project]. -
NEWArtist: Utagawa Kunisada [歌川 国貞], a.k.a. Utagawa Toyokuni III [三代 歌川 豊国] (Japanese, 1786 – 1865). Signed: Kōchōrō Kunisada ga [香朝楼國貞画] in a yellow cartouche Date and Censor Seals: 1832 — Tenpō 3 (辰, Year of the Dragon), plus Approved (kiwame, 極) Publisher: Enshūya Matabei [遠州屋又兵衛] (Japanese, fl. c. 1768 – 1881); seal (ト) under the roof Media: Aiban yoko-e uchiwa-e (団扇絵), color woodblock print, 225 x 285 mm. The print depicts a bijin (beautiful woman) holding a paper lantern (chōchin, 提灯) with the kanji 獅子 ("Lion," shishi/jishi) written in bold black strokes. She is shown in a three-quarter view, turning her head to the left, her gaze directed towards the lantern. Her red and blue checkered over-garment adorned with sickle-shaped (鎌, kama) kamon and other ideograms. A red under-kimono is decorated with peonies (botan, 牡丹) and bats (kōmori, 蝙蝠)—symbols of prosperity and good fortune. A black collar with a red accent adds contrast to her attire. Her hair is styled with only a headband, and her teeth are not blackened. The background features a gradient transitioning from green to orange, then to teal, from bottom to top. On the left, swallows (tsubame, 燕) fly upwards, while on the right, blue geese (gan, 雁) descend, creating a balanced movement across the composition.Provenance: René Scholten (Dutch, 1943 – 2001)
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NEWArtist: Utagawa Kunisada [歌川 国貞], a.k.a. Utagawa Toyokuni III [三代 歌川 豊国] (Japanese, 1786 – 1865) Signed: Toyokuni ga (豊國画) in a red toshidama cartouche Censor seal: Kinugasa (衣笠) & Murata (村田), sealed together from 1/1851 to 1/1852 Publisher: Iseya Sōemon [伊勢屋惣右衛門] (Japanese, 1776 – 1862); seal: hanmoto ue (板元上) Media: Aiban yoko-e uchiwa-e (団扇絵), color woodblock print, 229 x 296 mm No date seal. Title (in red cartouche, top right: Mei yoroko [no] awase; 名喜之合 / 名喜合 — possible translations: Facing of famous pleasure, or Gathering of Famous Pleasures, or Assembly of Celebrated Joys.A woman is depicted in half-length, facing right, with her mouth modestly covered by her raised right sleeve. She wears a deep purple kimono decorated with spiderwebs and large butterflies—some rendered in fine detail, while others appear worn or damaged, with yellow wings mottled by black spots. A red under-kimono is visible beneath, along with a blue collar featuring a repeating saya-gata (紗綾形) lattice pattern.
Scrolls tied with blue ribbon are tucked beneath her left arm. Her red obi is adorned with gold cloud motifs and blue floral designs, possibly peonies. Her hair is styled in the taka-shimada fashion and is fastened with a simple white cord (shiro ito), without kanzashi or additional ornamentation. Behind her is a low bamboo fence. The background presents large blooming chrysanthemums (菊, kiku) and what may be roses or peonies, set against a sky that transitions in gradient from blue to purple.
A companion uchiwa-e print with the same title, catalogued by the Kunisada Project and depicting a kabuki actor, was likely intended to serve as the reverse side of the present print when mounted as a complete fan.
[With special thanks to Horst Graebner of Kunisada Project].
Provenance: René Scholten (Dutch, 1943 – 2001)
