Comments - Beautiful Utamaro design showing two elegant beauties reading from a book, dressed in colorful kimonos, their hair pinned high. Lovely shimmering mica background, distressed to emulate the aged appearance of the original. This reprint is a fantastic depiction of women enjoying a moment of leisure.

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 - 10" x 15"

Condition - With excellent color and detail. Some wrinkling at edges. Please see photos for details.