Comments - Rare original painting on silk by Moronobu of a courtesan looking down with a slight smile, one arm tucked inside the sleeve of her robe while the other holds a slender pipe. Her obi is tied in bow over her hips, and the kimono fabric trails on the floor around her. Beautifully drawn in black ink and lighter gray ink, with a pink blush on the cheek and red lips. A fantastic opportunity to acquire an original work by one of the great early Edo masters.

This presentation - The scroll comes in a beautiful, handmade custom wooden storage box with Moronobu's name in ink on the top. Mounted to scroll, the painting is framed by cream colored paper with gold brocade bands at top and bottom, surrounded by solid blue and blue tie-dyed fabrics. The fabric at top and bottom is an olive gray with a narrow white stripe. The bottom roller has lacquer knobs, with a hanging bar and braided cord at top. A date of Showa 29 (1954) written in ink inside the lid likely refers to the date when the painting was mounted to the scroll.

Artist - Moronobu (1618 - 1694)

Size - Painting 8 7/8" x 4 7/8"; scroll 63 1/4" x 9 1/2"; box 12" x 2 3/8" x 2 1/4"

Condition - Painting has light creases from rolled storage. Some losses to fabric at sides of scroll mounting, a few holes in fabric, slight creasing from rolled storage. Please see photos for details.