Thirty-two Fashionable Physiognomies - Attractive half-length portrait from Kunichika's early beauty series "Thirty-two Fashionable Physiognomies." The number thirty-two in the title is a playful reference to the thirty-two notable features of Buddha. Each design shows a contemporary beauty in a scene from daily life, reading, enjoying a boat ride, or relaxing. These images are beautifully detailed with extremely fine line work in the hair and soft bokashi shading in the background. Some feature deluxe publishing techniques such as embossing or burnishing. A rarely seen Kunichika bijin series from early in his career.

Beauty Praying, 1869 - Charming portrait of a beauty pausing to pray, her kimono sleeves pressed together before her and her head bowed, an umbrella tucked beneath her arm. She wears a blue striped kimono over a red under robe, tied with a blue-violet floral obi and narrow red tie-dyed sash. Her hair is pulled back into a knot tied with a white ribbon and adorned with a green lacquer comb and a hairpin with a tiny bat. A yellow knotted sash attached to a bell hangs at left. Beautifully detailed with exceptionally fine line work in the hair, burnishing on the black collar, and bokashi shading on the background.

Artist - Kunichika (1835 - 1900)

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

Condition - This print with nice detail as shown. Creasing throughout. Please see photos for details.