UTAMARO II (d.1831)
The Courtesan Shigeoka of the Okamoto-ya. c.1810-20
- Category
- Japanese | Beauties
- Publisher
- Izumi-ya Ichibei
oban tate-e, 26.5 cm × 38.1 cm
Good impression, fresh colour. Surface soil, marks, rubbing (publisher mark) and tiny, expert edge-repair lower right corner, otherwise good condition. S.M Shiba dealer seal au verso.
The courtesan Shigeoka of the Okamoto-ya brothel stretches out her arms to display a magnificent kimono, decorated with plovers taking flight over a meandering stream. The kimono was the courtesans prized possession, and a source of great rivalry within the trade. Stories abound of courtesans attempting to usurp one another with originality in design.
For another impression see Museum Volkenkunde Leiden.
£1300