The Ninth Month

by Kiyonaga (1752 - 1815)

Current Status

The Ninth Month by Kiyonaga (1752 - 1815)

Kiyonaga (1752 - 1815) Japanese Woodblock Reprint
The Ninth Month

Series; Twelve Months in the South
Spring Collection: Rare Taisho era Takamizawa prints

Takamizawa's Taisho era Reprints - With the increase in Western visitors to Japan in the first quarter of the 20th century and the interest in the Edo era woodblock print tradition, some of the best publishing houses began to release high quality reprints of the most famous ukiyo-e designs. Founded in 1911, the Takamizawa Publisher of Tokyo produced some of the highest quality ukiyo-e woodblock reprints of all time. Drawing on the traditions and methods of the Edo era, the company created reprints with the utmost care and great attention to detail, masterfully reproducing color, line work, and even wood grain detail in some cases. 

This print was published during the Taisho era (1911 - 1925), and features a Takamizawa seal on the reverse. Takamizawa's Taisho era prints are considered to be some of the finest reprints ever done. Today, these lovely old prints are sought after by collectors. This is a fantastic early release by Takamizawa and a great choice for a collector interested in classic ukiyo-e images.

The Ninth Month - Lovely Kiyonaga design of an elegant courtesan watching the moon through the wooden grid of a window in September, the ninth month of the year. She looks rather wistfully out at the night, leaning against the window frame, her long kimono trailing onto the floor around her. The fires of fishing boats glow red in the distance against the dark river. Two other beauties relax on the floor before her, one reading a long letter, following the words with her fingertip. A beautiful subject with soft coloring, seldom seen in reprint.

Artist - Kiyonaga (1752 - 1815)

Image Size - 14 1/4" x 9 1/2" + margins as shown

Condition - This print with excellent color and detail as shown. Slight toning, a few small spots, a few light creases at edges. Please see photos for details. Good overall.

The Ninth Month by Kiyonaga (1752 - 1815)
The Ninth Month by Kiyonaga (1752 - 1815)