Kitagawa Utamaro

1753-1806

Customs of the Twelve Months with Kyoka: Second 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 17.1 cm

From an untitled series depicting scenes from festivities throughout the year. A woman and young boy are busy at work making banners for the Hatsuuma Festival dedicated to Inari, the god of agriculture, fertility and foxes. The festival was celebrated at Inari shrines on the first day of the Horse in the second month of the lunar calendar. The kyoka poem is by Kawagishi no Matsukage.

References:
Shugo Asano and Timothy Clark, The Passionate Art of Kitagawa Utamaro, 1995, text, p. 113 (on series)
Gina Collia-Suzuki, The Complete Woodblock Prints of Kitagawa Utamaro, A Descriptive Catalogue, 2009, p. 296

(inv. no. 10-5050)

price: Sold