Keisai Eisen

1790-1848

Twelve Views of Modern Beauties: The Amused Type, Sumida River
(Imayo Bijin Junikei: Omoshiroso, Sumidagawa)

signed Keisai Eisen ga, with artist's red circular seal Sen, published by Izumiya Ichibei ca. 1822-23

oban tate-e 14 3/8 by 9 3/4 in., 36.5 by 24.8 cm

A geisha wears a koushi (plaid) kosode of white and purple stripes over a soft brown ground. She has excitedly pushed the sleeves above her elbows and tucked a plectrum under her arm in order to participate in a rowdy game of jankenpon (rock/paper/scissors), in some variations of which the loser was obliged to remove an article of clothing. The landscape cartouche in the shape of an unrolled handscroll illustrates a view of boats on the Sumida River near the entrance to the Mimeguri Shrine.

References:
Amy Reigle Newland, ed., The Ear Catches the Eye: Music in Japanese Prints, 2000, p. 171, no. 131
Keisai Eisen: Artist of the Floating World, Chiba City Museum of Art, 2012, pp. 128-129 (series)
(inv. no. 10-0281)

price: $9,000