Hosukaku Publishing - This beautiful, rare reprint was produced in Tokyo during the Taisho era by the Hosukaku Publishing house. Hosukaku produced shin-hanga designs as well as reprints by the great ukiyo-e masters such as Utamaro, Eishi, and Toyokuni I. The print is sealed with the Hosukaku seal of a bellflower beneath triple mountains, and was produced prior to 1923, as the Hosukaku print shop was destroyed by the Great Kanto Earthquake. Masterfully printed, this group of beauty reprints includes many designs that are almost never seen.​

Akashi of the Tamaya - Lovely Utamaro double portrait featuring the courtesan Akashi of the Tamaya and a companion. The beauty smiles happily as she looks down, showing tiny even white teeth. Her outer violet kimono is patterned with folding fans, worn over a green tie-dyed kimono and red under robe, tied with a sage green obi with a design of large clouds edged with yellow lines. The seated young woman has her hair pulled back into two large loops, adorned with a comb and many hairpins. An attractive design, rarely seen in reprint.

Artist - Utamaro (1750 - 1806)

Image Size - 14 7/8" x 10"

Condition - This print with excellent color and detail as shown. Slight toning, vertical crease near right edge, a few small spots. Please see photos for details. Good overall.