Kitagawa Utamaro

1753-1806

Customs of the Twelve Months with Kyoka: Seventh Month

signed Utamaro ga with kao seal in shape of a Daruma doll ('Uta' in a circle, 'maru'), and Waka publisher seal (Wakasaya Yoichi of Jakurindo), ca. 1790-91

chuban tate-e 9 5/8 by 6 3/4 in., 24.4 by 17.2 cm

From an untitled series depicting scenes from festivities throughout the year. Three young boys dance around a mawaridoro (revolving lantern), mimicking the paper cut-outs of dancers decorating the lantern. They are celebrating the Obon Festival which honors ancestral spirits on the 15th day of the 7th lunar month. The kyoka poem is by Tsuyo Tokunari.

References:
Shugo Asano and Timothy Clark, The Passionate Art of Kitagawa Utamaro, 1995, text, p. 113 (on series)
Gina Collia-Suzuki, The Complete Woodblock Prints of Kitagawa Utamaro, A Descriptive Catalogue, 2009, p. 298

price: $600