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

A young beauty appears to be struggling to pull on her outer-robe which is decorated with a pine needle motif. One wonders how she will manage to secure it closed with the two obi that are snaking around each other on the floor.

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 1820s.

References:
The Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, accession nos. 17.3214.28 and RES.54.187.13 ('Tosei' versions); and no. 11.15235 ('Jisei' version)

(inv. no. 10-3275)

price: $1,400