Preparatory Drawing of Parody of Zhu Wu, the Divine Strategist, Hanaogi of the Ogiya (Shinkigunshi Shubu no mitate, Hanaogi no Ogiya)
sumi ink drawing on paper, unsigned, with notations regarding colors, ca. 1830s
conserved on achival paper 15 3/4 by 11 in., 40.1 by 27.8 cm
The beauty is seated on a verandah overlooking a moonlit lake with Mount Fuji in the distance. Although the title cartouche is missing, the design is from a very scarce Suikoden mitate-e (parody) series published by Kagaya Kichiemon (Kichibei), the same publisher who produced Kuniyoshi's famous circa 1827-30 series, Tsuzoku Suikoden goketsu hyakuhachinin no hitori (One Hundred and Eight Heroes of the Popular Shuihuzhuan). Kuniyasu's version uses the same exact series and print titles, with the addition of the names and houses of featured courtesans.
The drawing appears to be a near-final version of a composition with very detailed instructions for the carver and printer on how the coloration should be addressed. It was discovered within a small collection of preparatory works, some of which were matched directly to published prints by Kunisada (1786-1865), Teisai Sencho (active ca. 1830-1850), Keisai Eisen (1790-1848), and this print by Kuniyasu.
References:
Mead Art Museum, Amherst College, accession no. 1998.51
Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, accession no. 11.37180
Mike Lyon Collection, woodblockprints.org
(inv. no. 10-2699)
price: Sold
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