Saturday, 24 March 2018

108 - Shunsen: Geisha entertaining a client at a teahouse garden


Ukiyo-e. Shunsen.
Shunsen: Geisha entertaining a client at a teahouse garden

Here is a scene from Japan at the time, Geisha entertaining a client at a teahouse garden, by Katsukawa Shunsen. This work is from the first decade of the 1800s.


Saturday, 17 March 2018

107 - Shigeharu: Nakamura Utaemon III as Shōki


Ukiyo-e. Shigeharu. Shōki.
Shigeharu: Nakamura Utaemon III as Shōki


This is a yakusha-e from 1822-1826, which shows actor Nakamura Utaemon III as Shōki. It is from the series Seven Quick Changes (Shichihenge no uchi) by Ryusai Shigeharu, who lived 1802-1853.

Shōki, the Demon Queller, was a protector against demons and disease. Here he is red, in that colour he protected against smallpox.

Saturday, 10 March 2018

106 - Hiroshige: Matching the World and Music


Ukiyo-e. Hiroshige.
Hiroshige: Matching the World and Music

This is a rare and beautiful triptych by Hiroshige. The name of the print is Onkyoku sekai awase (Matching the World and Music). It was published 1849-1850.


Saturday, 3 March 2018

105 - Ginkô: Disguised as Woman


Ukiyo-e. Ginkô. Abbreviated Japanese History.
Ginkô: Disguised as Woman

Here we have Disguised as Woman by Adachi Ginkô. It is from his most famous series: "Pictorial Outline of Japanese History (Dainippon shiryaku zue)",  published 1885-1889.