Comments - Handsome portrait of the beauty Yaoya Oshichi, the sixteen-year-old daughter of a greengrocer who sought refuge in a temple after a fire. While there, she fell in love with a monk, and in order to see him again, she set a fire that ended up destroying a large part of Edo. This true story became the basis for many kabuki plays. Here, she adjusts her obi, tugging on the ends of the bow behind her back. She wears an intricately patterned kimono with a border of ducks swimming on flowing streams. Her obi features a charming motif of rabbits and flowers. A purse wrapped in tissues is tucked in her obi, and her hair is arranged with a large comb and several hairpins. A kettle sits on the floor nearby, and the title cartouche takes the form of an ornate lantern. An attractive beauty subject, seldom seen in reprint.

Woodblock reprints - In the 20th century, artists and publishers collaborated to recreate famous woodblock prints for interested Japanese collectors and Westerners looking for rare designs. New blocks were made, and the prints were painstakingly printed by artisan printers in the same method as the 19th century originals - one block for each color. Woodblock reprints were an opportunity to collect and enjoy a famous design at a small fraction of the price of an original. They still are today.

Artist - Toyokuni III/Kunisada (1786 - 1864)

Image Size - 15 3/4" x 10 1/2"

Condition - This print with excellent color and detail as shown. Please see photos for details. Good overall.