Utagawa Kunisada (Toyokuni III), 1786-1865

Present Times
(Jisei)

the title, Jisei, within a cartouche in the shape of the artist's Toshidama seal, signed Gototei Kunisada ga, with censor's kiwame seal and publisher's mark Mi (Mikawaya Seiemon), 1820s

oban tate-e 14 3/4 by 10 3/8 in., 37.4 by 26.5 cm

The title cartouche, Jisei indicates this print appears to be variant from the series Tosei (or Jisei), Usugesho (Light Makeup of Present Times), although this impression is lacking the second vertical cartouche which would complete the full series title. With approximately only 10 designs recorded and few extant impressions, this rare bijin series appears to date to the mid to late 1820s.

References:
The Museum of Fine Arts, Boston (www.mfa.org), accession nos. 11.15235 and RES.54.187.13. (two other designs from the series)

$1,400