Osome of the Oil Shop and Apprentice Hisamatsu - Beautiful portrait of the young couple Hisamatsu and Osome. The beauty Osome has been betrothed to Seibei, but she has fallen in love with Hisamatsu, who is an apprentice in her father's shop. Osome wraps the young man in the voluminous folds of her kimono. Hisamatsu wears a rather alarmed expression, and she looks down at him soberly. Her outer robe is a deep rich plum color, and he wears a finely striped kimono over a solid blue-green under robe. Wonderful detail in the hairlines and facial features, with deep embossing on Osome's kimono collar. A lovely subject.

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 - Utamaro (1750 - 1806)

Image Size - 14 3/4" x 9 7/8" + margins as shown

Condition - Excellent overall with no issues to report.