1753-1806
Customs of the Twelve Months with Kyoka: First Month
signed Utamaro ga, published by Wakasaya Yoichi (Jakurindo), ca. 1790-91
chuban tate-e 9 5/8 by 6 3/4 in., 24.6 by 17.1 cm
From an untitled series depicting scenes from festivities throughout the year. A pair of manzai dancers stand before a folding screen with their audience visible as silhouettes through bamboo blinds and peeking around the edge of the last panel. Manzai dancers performed during New Years' festivities in pairs with a straight man (tayu) and a comic (saizo) offering song and dance with auspicious blessings. The kyoka is by Nomikuchi Hineru.
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, pp. 294-295, illus.
Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, Spaulding Collection, accession no. 21.6522
price: Sold