1753-1806
Customs of the Twelve Months with Kyoka: Ninth Month
signed Utamaro ga with kao seal in shape of a Daruma doll ('Uta' in a circle, 'maru'), and Waka publisher seal (Wakasaya Yoichi of Jakurindo), ca. 1790-91
chuban tate-e 9 5/8 by 6 3/4 in., 24.4 by 17.2 cm
From an untitled series depicting scenes from festivities throughout the year. While the primary moon-viewing event was the Tsukimi on the 15th day of the 8th lunar month; the 9th lunar month also offered moon-viewing on the 13th day which was known alternatively as 'later moon viewing' (nochi no tsukimi), 'chestnut famous moon' (kuri meigetsu), or 'bean famous moon' (mame meigetsu). The kyoka poem is by Tsuyo Tokunari.
On the night of the thirteenth
It's a bit oval looking
Like a court football [kemari]
It must have been patched-up
From the night of the fifteenth
References:
Shugo Asano and Timothy Clark, The Passionate Art of Kitagawa Utamaro, 1995, no. 92, p. 114
Gina Collia-Suzuki, The Complete Woodblock Prints of Kitagawa Utamaro, A Descriptive Catalogue, 2009, p. 298
Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, Carter Collection, accession no. 34.267
price: Sold