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Utagawa Kunisada (Toyokuni III)Seishi Ai-oi Genji – Set of 12 Shunga works together w/astrological commentary1851
1851
About the Item
Set of 12 woodblock prints in colors on handmade, laid mulberry paper, 6 3/4 x 10 1/4 inches (170 x 258 mm), printed in Ka-ei 4 (1851). Each print with minor handling wear, otherwise in excellent condition with bright and fresh color, and with details printed in silver ink. The images themselves contain several illusive characters indicating the publisher which are obfuscated by figures, as intended. Presented loose, as issued. A fine set.
The astrological commentary print has a large and meandering blind stamp with a bird and palm frond motif. This print lists various phrases concerning the Twelve Zodiac Animals as historically counted in Japan, and appears to include erotic commentary on the traits of people born under each of the twelve signs.
These Shunga images were issued in books that paralleled (in an erotic fashion) the 52 chapters of Genji Monogatari, or Tales of Prince Genji. From the series, Seishi Ai-oi Genji, Genji refers to the protagonist in a 10th century classical Japanese novel. The publishers who issued these series (which would have been illegal at the time of publication) would issue "how-to" books which contained hints and indications as to who the publishers were, but would only include a minimum of information to procure subsequent editions. This series was tremendously successful, and was published from Temmei 6 (1786) until Genji 1 (1864). Kunisada is well known for publishing excellent, unsigned Shunga. In general, he is considered to have been the most prolific Hanga artist across all genres, having produced 35,000 in his lifetime (Shunga representing the smallest percentage). After his death, his estate supported his heirs and descendants for generations.
- Creator:Utagawa Kunisada (Toyokuni III) (1786-1864, Japanese)
- Creation Year:1851
- Dimensions:Height: 6.75 in (17.15 cm)Width: 10.25 in (26.04 cm)
- Medium:
- Movement & Style:
- Period:
- Condition:
- Gallery Location:Middletown, NY
- Reference Number:
Utagawa Kunisada (Toyokuni III)
Born in the Honjo district of Edo as Kunisada Tsunoda, Kunisada’s family owned a small hereditary ferryboat service. Though his father, an amateur poet, died when Kunisada was a child, the family business provided some financial security. During his childhood, he showed considerable promise in painting and drawing. Due to strong familial ties with literary and theatrical circles, he spent time studying actor portraits. At age 14, he was admitted to study under Toyokuni, head of the Utagawa school. Kunisada's work embodies the characteristics of the Utagawa school, focusing on traditional subjects such as kabuki, bijin (beautiful women), shunga (erotic prints), and historical prints. His first known print dates to 1807, his first illustrated book to 1808. Kunisada’s career took off from the beginning. Many of his works became overnight successes and he was considered the “star attraction†of the Utagawa school. He signed his works “Kunisada,†sometimes with the studio names of Gototei and Kochoro affixed. In 1844, he adopted the name of his teacher and became Toyokuni III. Kunisada passed away in 1864 in the same neighborhood that he was born. He was 70 years old. Kunis
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