1790-1848
Shadows on the Shoji: Beauty Holding a Letter
signed Keisai Eisen ga, with censor's seal kiwame (approved), and publisher's mark, Sa (Otaya Sakichi of Kinrindo), ca. 1818
aiban tate-e (untrimmed) 14 1/8 by 9 5/8 in., 36 by 24.4 cm
An image of a beauty wearing a green and white koushi (lattice) kimono tastefully matched with a purple and white striped obi decorated with gold flowers on one side and pure and black on the other. The bottom edge of the obi with two seals: the right character on the red seal appears to be 'fuku' (good fortune), and the top character on a gourd-shaped seal appears to be 'tera' (temple). A poem is inscribed in the empty space around her. She looks at a letter in her hand, holding it close to her chest, contemplating the inscription on the outside and pausing as if she is conflicted about the contents or its delivery.
In the background, beyond a stylized cloud we see shadows of figures through shoji panels of what looks like a lively gathering. This print is from an untitled series (seven recorded) featuring single figures of bijin in the foreground with poems and 'shadows on the shoji' in the background.
Reference:
Chiba City Museum of Art, Keisai Eisen: Artist of the Floating World, 2012, p. 284, cat. no. 100-1
(inv. no. 10-4525)
price: $1,400