Utagawa KUNISADA /TOYOKUNI III
(Japan 1786–1865)
- Title
- Pictures of graceful figures of the east
- Other titles:
- (Maple viewing party)
- Alternative title:
- Yasasugata Azuma no utsushi-e
- Place of origin
-
Japan
- Period
- Edo (Tokugawa) period 1615 - 1868 → Japan
- Year
- circa 1852
- Media category
- Materials used
- colour woodcut; triptych
- Dimensions
-
35.5 x 76.0cm image overall; 49.0 x 89.3 x 1.2 cm frame:
a - left sheet; 35.5 x 25cm; sight measurement
b - centre sheet; 35.5 x 25.7cm
c - right sheet; 35.5 x 25.7cm
- Signature & date
- Signed [left sheet] c.l.[in cartouche], in Japanese, ink [incised on block], "Toyokuni ga [picture by Toyokuni]". Not dated. Signed [centre sheet], c.r.[in cartouche], in Japanese, ink [incised on block], "Toyokuni ga [picture by Toyokuni]". Not dated. Signed [right sheet], l.r., in Japanese, red ink [incised on block] "Ichiyôsai Toyokuni ga [picture by Ichiyôsai Toyokuni] [and artist's seal]". Not dated.
- Credit
- Gift of Margaret Olley 2000
- Accession number
- 145.2000a-c
- Location
- Not on display
- Further information
Although Kunisada was a prolific artist and the gallery has several of his works, only two triptychs are in the collection, and both are scenes from kabuki stages. This work depicts a joyous maple viewing party. Maple viewing was an important festival, one of the few occasions for samurai ladies to go outdoors from their restricted life in 'oku' or the 'ladies quarters'.
Asian Art Dept., AGNSW, May 2000.
- Bibliography (1)
-
Khanh Trinh (Editor), Genji - the world of the Shining Prince, Sydney, 2008, 37 (colour illus.). fig.18.
