Lion Dance: Oito of the Tamaya - Interesting scene of the geisha Oito of the Tamaya who performed in the Lion Dance at the Niwaka Festival in the Yoshiwara relaxing on a bench, a sake cup in one hand. The seated beauty wears a red outer kimono with a leaping carp on the sleeve, lined with a yellow and orange geometric print, over a black kimono with a striking image of a huge spider on a web with several insects caught in it. Her hair is styled in a man's topknot, part of their attire for the festival as the women dressed as samurai. The first time we've seen this handsome design.

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 - 15" x 9 7/8" + margins as shown

Condition - This print with good color and detail as shown. A couple light creases at edges, a few small marks. Please see photos for details.