Katsukawa Shunsen (Shunkô II, 1762- ca. 1830)
Dressed in fluttering light summer kimonos, a geisha and her companion hurry for an evening engagement, carrying their shamisen in a box.
Behind the title cartouche a flower of the season, the hydrangea (ajisai)
Title: 水無月(Minazuki – the 6th month, June)
Signature: Shunsen ga
Seal: Shun
Censor: Kiwame, gyôji Waka (Wakasa-ya Yôichi)
Publisher: Sanoya Kihei (Sanoki, Kikakudô)
Date: 1811-14
Size: Vertical Oban, 37 x 24,5 cm
Excellent impression. Some fading of colours. Corners minimally soiled and toned, else very nice clean condition.
A charming and elegant rare bijin depiction, from a rare series of women in the twelve months of the year.
Cf. Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum No. 1933.4.2438. For other prints from the series see Library of Congress; Toyko National Museum, partly published by Sanoya, partly by Izumiya, Also see Marks, Publishers, p. 278, P1674, (as Shunkô II, publisher Sanoya)
sold