JWP Exam 1 Prints

First image of the floating world; samurai with courtesans; yoshiwara

Parody of the Four Accomplishments (Hikone Screen), Unknown Artist, c.1640. Folding Screen

Focus on detailed kimono, asymmetry, focus on translating bushwork to carved line, represents the pleasure quarters

Lovers, by Hishikawa Moronobu, ca. 1679. Printed Album.

courtesan looking over shoulder; emphasis on details in kimono

Beauty Looking over her Shoulder, by Hishikawa Moronobu. Late 17th c. Hanging Scroll

The age and sexuality chart; Distinctive cultural concepts and sexual relationships underlie multiple genders

Hishikawa Moronobu’s “Aloeswood Incense Pillow of Youngman- Play” aka Wakashu-Asobi, 1675

hand colored; “Ichikawa danjuro” was a hereditary stage name passed down (sometimes via adoption); The print shows a strongman goro pose; Real tension in these prints between depicting the actor and depicting the role; Plots were often secondary to the spectacle of the actors and some actors limited appearances to boost the demand; Hear the face is generic, while the danjuro family crest on the rope, identifies the specific actor

Ichikawa Danjuro as Goro Uprooting a Bamboo Tree, by Torii Kiyomasu, c. 1700

Can tell its a courtesan because the belt is tied in front; Had a really elaborate kimono, worn outside multiple layers of robe; Hand painted print; Wearing hair ornaments; Scroll asks- what is more beautiful? The full moon or plum blossom? (The viewer is asked to answer the poetic question); Can still see red to this day because it was created with red lead pigment

Torii Kiyomasu, Courtesan Reading a Poem, c. 1715

Calendar print; Color helps these works stand out because it’s a simple lady in a simple location; Demand increased for prints; Expensive print to print; The courtesan is reading a love letter

Beauty Reading by the Window, By Suzuki Harunobu, 1765, calendar print

Parody of… Eight views of the xiao and xiang

depicts courtesans getting ready

The Eight Views of the Parlor: The Autumn Moon in the Mirror, by Harunobu, c. 1766, first edition

Parody of… Eight views of the xiao and xiang

depicts courtesans getting ready; utilizes blind printing

The Eight Views of the Parlor: The Evening Snow on the Floss Shaper, by Harunobu, c. 1766, first edition

sukeroku pose helped the katsukawa school overtake the torii school in actor prints 

• Audience would often call out actors names during mie pose

• Surviving purple pigment is rare and highly valued by collectors today

• And actor skill, partly lay and facial contortion for these near stock dramatic scenes

Sukeroku, by Katsukawa Shunsho, c. 1765

• Sometimes called red danjuro

• Shows danjuro waiting at the back of the theater and full profile, but crouched, poised to spring at any moment

• Depicts the role of kamakura gongoro

• The first such depiction, not yet on stage

Ichikawa Danjuro V in Shibaraku, designed by Katsukawa Shunsho, 1777

kabuki actor

Fans of the East, by Katsukawa Shunsho, 1775

• Worked with a minor publisher

• Has watery outlines

• Depicts a courtesan, the title suggests each shows the five different levels of courtesans

• Her hair is down (showing she is not working), she is writing and thinking how to respond to a love letter- showing her class of courtesan

• Still shows personality of the woman

• Key block lines are referenced to a sort of pedigree

High-Ranking Courtesan, from the series “Five Shades of Ink in the Northern Quarter,” by Kitagawa Utamaro, c. 1794-95

courtesan holding what is likely her first love letter

Young Woman from a Low-Class Brothel, From the series “Five Shades of Ink in the

Northern Quarter, by Kitagawa Utamaro, c. 1794-95

courtesan thinking probably about a love letter

Moatside Prostitute, from the series “Five Shades of Ink in the Northern Quarter, by Kitagawa Utamaro, c. 1793-94

courtesan

“Gun” Prostitute, from the series “Five Shades of Ink in the Northern Quarter,” By Kitagawa Utamaro, c. 1794-95

was considered erotica because of the unnecessary nudity

Abalone Divers, by Utamaro, Tripych, c. 1797-8

got artist arrested b/c Portrays hideyoshi (popular official) surrounded by several wives, holding out a tray for more wine

Hideyoshi and his Five Wives on an Excursion to Rakuto, by Utamaro, 1804

kabuki actor shown unflattering

Bando Mitsugoro II as Ishii Genzo, by Sharaku, 1794

kabuki actor shown unflattering

Sakata Hangoro III as Fujikawa Mizu’emon, by Sharaku,1794

kabuki actor shown unflattering

Onoe Matsusuke as Matsushita Mikinoshin, by Sharaku, 1794