Comments - Charming scene of a beauty and two young girls at a tea stand near a shrine, amusing themselves at the New Year. The girls take turns bouncing a ball, while the beauty holds a decorative paddle and feathered shuttlecock for a traditional New Year's game similar to badminton called hanetsuki. A holiday decoration of pine and bamboo stands next to a red pillar, a bench behind them and an offering tray holding plates of tiny rice cakes at right. An attractive design with lovely color. A limited edition reprint numbered 18/500 on reverse.

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 - Harunobu (1724 - 1770)

Image Size - 12 1/2" x 9 1/4" + margins as shown

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