UTAMARO, Kitagawa (1750-1806): Ohisa, the tea-house servant and Okita, the waitress

Artist: UTAMARO, Kitagawa (1750-1806)
Title: Ohisa, the tea-house servant and Okita, the waitress
Publisher: Tsuta-ya Juzaburo
Date: c. 1793 (the original edition; these impressions made from recut blocks in the 20th century)
Medium: Woodblock print
Size/Format: oban tate-e (c. 15" x 10", ea.)
Description: Though not forming a typical diptych, it seems likely that the two designs were intended as a pair. - OHISA, in the print at left, was the daughter of Takashima Chohei, the proprietor of a rice-cake shop in the Ryogoku area of Edo (Tokyo), and it appears that she served in a tea-house there that was part of the business. - The print at right depicts OKITA, a beautiful waitress who attracted customers to the Naniwaya tea-house beside the Zuijin Gate on the east side of the Asakusa Temple. In 1793 she would have been fifteen years old. - The two prints come with the translation of the 'kyoka' poems which praise the particular tea-houses.
Condition: Mint. Perfect 'mica-like' background.

Reserve: $500.00

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