Yosooi of the Matsubaya - Lovely portrait of the courtesan Yosooi of the Matsubaya writing a letter. She looks down with a sad expression as she pauses for a moment, the scroll of paper in one hand and a brush in the other. She wears a purple outer kimono over a dark red robe patterned with butterflies and tied with a green obi. Her hair is pulled back into a large sleek bun adorned with a comb and many hairpins. A beautiful design with an attractive color palette, rarely 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 - Utamaro (1750 - 1806)

Image Size - 14 1/2" x 9 5/8" + margins as shown

Condition - With excellent color and detail as shown. Please see photos for details. Nice overall.