Series; Contest of Contemporary Beauties of the Pleasure Quarters
Publisher - Adachi from a rare series of Edo masterwork designs. Adachi publisher seal in margin or on reverse.
Adachi was one of the most respected publishers of the 20th century. Their woodblocks were printed to the highest standards with excellent color and fine detail. Founded in 1925, Adachi also chose interesting and varied subjects for their prints and was the only publisher of many famous old ukiyo-e images.
The Southeast - Attractive scene of a beauty after a bath sitting next to a makeup mirror, her green kimono loosely wrapped about her. She reaches over her shoulder for a letter delivered to her by an attendant, who leans forward to hand her the message. At lower left, a shallow wooden tub holds water, with tissues, a pipe, and other objects strewn around the floor nearby. The woman standing behind her reads a book, following the text with her finger. A handsome subject with fine detail in the hair and kimono fabrics, 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 - Kiyonaga (1752 - 1815)
Image Size - 15 3/8" x 10 1/8" + margins as shown
Condition - This print with excellent color and detail as shown. Please see photos for details. Good overall.
