A Collection of Pictures of Chignon Wigs to Put On (Katsura-tsuke sokuhatsu zukai)
each sheet signed Yoshu Chikanobu hitsu with artist's red Toshidama seal, block carver's seal Horiko Gin, and dated on one sheet, Meiji nijunen gogatsu (Meiji 20 [1887], 5th month) within the publisher's cartouche shuppanjin Hayashi Kichizo (Tsutaya Kichizo of Koeido), 1887
oban tate-e triptych 14 1/8 by 27 7/8 in., 36 by 70.7 cm
Two years after the establishment of the Fujin sokuhatsu kai (Woman's Chignon Society) in 1885, the publication of this print reflects that there was an understandable continuing market for materials that would guide Japanese women as the adapted their hairstyles to a more Western mode that was easier to maintain.
Although each of the sheets of this triptych have a title and signature cartouche, the fact that only one sheet has the publisher information indicates that it was sold as a set of three. The positioning of the figures, however, leaves some room for preference regarding the order. While the figure in blue seems is most logical on the right, the placement of the other two sheets could be reversed.
References:
Andreas Marks, Publishers of Japanese Woodblock Prints: A Compendium, 2011, no. 556 Yoshu Chikanobu Memorial Exhibition, Hiraki Ukiyo-e Foundation, 2012, p. 30, no. 29
Harvard Art Museums, object number 2007.214.116 (central sheet only)
Tokyo Metro LIbrary, object nos. 0732-C004-001, 0732-C004-002, 0732-C004-003 (multiple copies of each sheet)
(inv. no. 10-5327)
price: Sold
Scholten Japanese Art is open Monday - Friday, and some Saturdays by appointment only
Contact Katherine Martin at (212) 585-0474 or email [email protected] to schedule a visit between 11am and 4pm preferably for no more than two individuals at a time.
site last updated
March 18, 2024
Scholten Japanese Art
145 West 58th Street, suite 6D
New York, New York 10019
ph: (212) 585-0474
fx: (212) 585-0475