"Hanazuma of Hyōgoya, Kenbishi of Sakagami” from the series The Peers of Saké Likened to Select Denizens of Six Houses (Natori zake rokkasen: Hyōgoya Hanazuma, Sakagami no Kenbishi)

ca. 1794

Not on view

This print combines a portrait of a beautiful courtesan with an advertisement for sake to create a witty and iconic image about pleasure. The sake cup, seen on its side at the upper right, bears the name of the series. The tablets at the upper right and left read, respectively, "Kenbishi," the name of the sake brand, and "Hanazuma," the name of the courtesan.

Utamaro pared the composition down to basic elements. The graceful beauty of the image is enhanced by its undulating curves, the lady's attenuated form, and the deeply embossed pattern (karazuri) on her robe. The viewer's interest is piqued by the cropped mirror, one of Utamaro's favorite pictorial motifs. It is left to the imagination to determine what lies beyond the frame and within the mirror's reflection.

Artwork Details

喜多川歌麿画「名取酒六家選　兵庫屋華妻　坂上の剣菱」
Title: "Hanazuma of Hyōgoya, Kenbishi of Sakagami” from the series The Peers of Saké Likened to Select Denizens of Six Houses (Natori zake rokkasen: Hyōgoya Hanazuma, Sakagami no Kenbishi)
Artist: Kitagawa Utamaro (Japanese, ca. 1754–1806)
Period: Edo period (1615–1868)
Date: ca. 1794
Culture: Japan
Medium: Woodblock print; ink and color on paper
Dimensions: H. 14 3/4 in. (37.5 cm); W. 9 1/2 in. (24.1 cm)
Classification: Prints
Credit Line: Rogers Fund, 1925
Object Number: JP1461
Curatorial Department: Asian Art

More Artwork

By Kitagawa Utamaro

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“Preparing Food for the Warbler,” from the album Men’s Stamping Dance (Otoko dōka, uguisu no esa suri)

, Kitagawa Utamaro Japanese, Page from a woodblock printed book; ink and color on paper, Japan — “Preparing Food for the Warbler,” from the album Men’s Stamping Dance (Otoko dōka, uguisu no esa suri)
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The Lady Tomimoto Toyohina Reading a Letter, Kitagawa Utamaro Japanese, Woodblock print; ink and color on paper, Japan — The Lady Tomimoto Toyohina Reading a Letter
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Women Preparing Sashimi, Kitagawa Utamaro Japanese, Woodblock print; ink and color on paper, Japan — Women Preparing Sashimi
Kitagawa Utamaro
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In the Kitchen, Kitagawa Utamaro Japanese, Right-hand sheet of a diptych of woodblock prints; ink and color on paper, Japan — In the Kitchen
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Girl Fishers and Bathers, Kitagawa Utamaro Japanese, Triptych of woodblock prints; ink and color on paper, Japan — Girl Fishers and Bathers
Kitagawa Utamaro
1791

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