Keisai Eisen (Japan, 1790-1848) - Lot 59

Lot n° 59
Go to lot
Estimation :
600 - 800 EUR
Result with fees
Result : 1 165EUR
Keisai Eisen (Japan, 1790-1848) - Lot 59
Keisai Eisen (Japan, 1790-1848) Print, oban tate-e, from the series Shin Yoshiwara yūkun nana Komachi (新吉原遊君七小町), Courtesans of the new Yoshiwara in the role of the Seven Komachi, Sanomatsuya uchi Shiratama plate (佐野松内白玉), Shiratama of Sano-Matsuya. Signed Keisai Eisen ga. Publisher Tsutaya Kichizō (Kōeidō). Circa 1826 (minor restorations). Dim. 36.8 x 25.5 cm The courtesan Shiratama of the Sano Matsuya is seated in front of a lavishly decorated dressing table with a mirror. The mirror recreates the atmosphere of her private space, where she contemplates herself in a dazzling display of fabrics and colors. She is dressed in her ceremonial clothes, her hair adorned with gold lacquer decorations, and a brocaded garment is draped over a kimono rack beside her. To the left of the table, we see an early example of product placement: a packet of Bien Senjoko face powder, whose owner, a certain Mr. Sakamoto, was a frequent commissioner of prints at this time, notably those by Eisen. The episode mentioned here, Sekidera Komachi, is based on the play written by Zeami Motokiyo (1363-1443), which describes the solitary poetess at the end of her life. In the play, through a conversation with the priest of the Seki temple, Komachi expresses her deep regret for her vanity and the proud contempt she displayed towards the many suitors of her youth. In the visual style typical of ukiyo-e, where images of beauty are presented under the mask of a classical literary subject, Sekidera Komachi's moral tale is evoked by images of women admiring themselves in mirrors.
My orders
Sale information
Sales conditions
Return to catalogue