Seki - Handsome design from a Tokaido series jointly designed by Hiroshige and Toyokuni III. Hiroshige created the landscape backgrounds while Toyokuni III designed the large figures in the foreground. Here, a beauty encounters the blind musician Semimaru playing the biwa or Japanese lute. She pauses to look down at him as he sits calmly, holding the instrument across his lap. She has a lovely white kimono patterned with delicate grasses draped over her head, and carries an ornate black lacquer box tied with a blue tasseled cord. The landscape shows a steep hill at Seki, with tiny figures making their way up the pathway framed by tall trees. A charming design, beautifully detailed with light embossing in the white kimono and trim, and soft shading in the mountain. A variant edition with a colored background.

Artist - Hiroshige (1797 - 1858) and Toyokuni III/Kunisada (1786 - 1864)

Image Size - 14 1/8" x 9 5/8" + left margin as shown

Condition - This print with excellent color and detail as shown. Small hole, repaired. Slight toning, soiling, and creasing, a few small stains. Please see photos for details. Good overall.