Artist: Katsukawa Shunchō (active 1781-1795)
Title: Mt. Imose Series of Five Pictures (Imoseyama gomai tsuzuri)
Date: ca. 1780s
A beauty wearing the white head covering of a bride is gently tugging on the outer coat of a handsome young samurai who holds a fan. There is obviously something important on her mind, and he looks towards her with concern. This is a scene that parallels the Kabuki play “Imoseyama onna teikin”, in which two lovers become the victims of the power struggle of Soga-no-iruka and Fujiwara-no-Kamatari. Here we see Hinadori with her wedding hairdo pulling on Kuganosuke’s coat. Two female attendants watch with concern. We can see the mastery of the artist in how very subtle expressions and gestures create a compelling story in a single image. Scarce.
This sad tale revolves around the lovers Hinadori of Imoyama in Yamato Province and Kuganosuke of Seyama in Kii Province. The play was performed first in 1771 in Osaka.
Condition: Excellent impression and color, very good condition. Some smudging of black pigment and light surface soil.
Dimensions: chûban 25.2 x 19 cm Signature: Shunchô ga
SKU: SCH020
