Utagawa Kunisada (1786–1865)
Autumn Section (Aki no bu), from the series Modern Views of the Four Seasons (Tosei shiki no nagame), 1857, 4th month
Woodblock print
Vertical oban triptych (each sheet, approx.):
36 x 25.3 cm.
14 1/8 x 10 in.
36 x 25.3 cm.
14 1/8 x 10 in.
Signed Toyokuni ga (to each sheet)
Publisher: Tsujiokaya Kamekichi
Sealed: aratame (certified) and date seal, Snake 4 (April 1857)
Publisher: Tsujiokaya Kamekichi
Sealed: aratame (certified) and date seal, Snake 4 (April 1857)
£ 1,500.00
Further images
Genji sits drinking sake on a veranda on an autumnal evening, enjoying a dance performance accompanied by three musicians in a boat. His female companions also watch the spectacle. This...
Genji sits drinking sake on a veranda on an autumnal evening, enjoying a dance performance accompanied by three musicians in a boat. His female companions also watch the spectacle.
This is the first edition published by Sanoya Kihei. A later edition was issued by a different publisher (Tsujiokaya Kamekichi) using different woodblocks. There are clear differences between the two editions, including the signature Toyokuni ga used on the early edition, as here, with Toyokuni hitsu on the later edition, as well as differing kimono patterns and lantern decorations. The superior quality of printing and detail of the earlier edition is clear by an extensive use of blind-printing and subtle bokashi (gradation).
An example of the later edition can be found in the collection of The Museum of Fine Arts Boston, accession no. 11.15831-3, go to: https://collections.mfa.org/objects/501742
This is the first edition published by Sanoya Kihei. A later edition was issued by a different publisher (Tsujiokaya Kamekichi) using different woodblocks. There are clear differences between the two editions, including the signature Toyokuni ga used on the early edition, as here, with Toyokuni hitsu on the later edition, as well as differing kimono patterns and lantern decorations. The superior quality of printing and detail of the earlier edition is clear by an extensive use of blind-printing and subtle bokashi (gradation).
An example of the later edition can be found in the collection of The Museum of Fine Arts Boston, accession no. 11.15831-3, go to: https://collections.mfa.org/objects/501742