Mizuno Toshikata, Iris and Enpo Beauty, 36 Selected Beauties
Item No
#1080027090
Item
Ukiyo-e(Story)
Artist
Mizuno Toshikata
Price
$150.00
Weight
0.01kg
size
width
23cm 9"
depth
35.5cm 14"
Shipping method
Express to United States
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$15.80
$18.60
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Mizuno Toshikata (1866-1908) was born as Mizuno Kumejiro in Kanda, Tokyo. When he was 13 years old, his father sent him to the nishiki-e printmaking school of Tsukioka Yoshitoshi. He was also apprenticed to a ceramic painter. And later he was instructed in traditional Japanese painting by Shibata Hoshu and Watanabe Seitei.
He did a little bit of everything - war prints, illustrations and nevertheless he managed to continue a career as a serious painter and printmaker. In 1887 he was lucky and could get the job formerly held by Yoshitoshi as an illustrator at Yamato shinbun - a Tokyo newspaper. This gave him a stable income.
Mizuno published several series of bijin prints and genre scenes with women and children. Among his publishers were Sato Shotaro and Akiyama Buemon. His representative artworks are "Thirty-six Selected Beauties" and "Fountain Water (Iwa Shimizu zu)".
After 1900 Mizuno Toshikata was a well-recognized illustrator, painter and printmaker. He became teacher of Kaburagi Kiyokata, Arai Kanpo and Ikeda Terukata.
This series is based on the famous anthology of waka poems "Thirty six Master Poets" compiled by Fujiwara-no-Kintou. Master poets has been popular theme for artists. Toshikata depicted 36 beauties from different periods of time from ancient time to the Edo era and the viewers can see the customs and manners of different periods.
This artwork depicts beauties from the Enpou era (late 17th C) enjoying chatting while looking at beautiful shobu flowers. One woman on the left is wearing a hat called amigasa and the other is wearing a hood on top of her Shimada-mage hairstyle. Shobu or Japanese iris used to be often seen on the narrow path between the rice fields. In the old times, shobu flowers reminded rice farmers of upcoming rainy season. Then in the Edo era, people began to enjoy gardening and various plants including iris were improved in their varieties. This artwork depicts a scene where young girls enjoying seasonal plants and things.
Artist's signature and a seal applied on the left below
The title "Sanjyu-rokkasen Shobu Enpou-koro-fujin" is written in the cartouche in the upper right. Karazuri embossing is applied here.
Good impression and colors
Repair mark on the back
Slight Stains
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