Half Portrait of Two Beauties: Komaurasaki and Hanamuraski of Tamaya

Half Portrait of Two Beauties: Komaurasaki and Hanamuraski of Tamaya

Hidemaro
Edo, Japan (active 1804 - 1817)

color woodblock print
22.3 x 35 centimeters

This woodblock print depicts serene figures applied in the half length portrait style on (okubi-e), this style was developed by Utamaro in 1791. It focuses attention to facial expression and demeanor to disclose more perfectly the inner beauty and character of the female subject. The two beauties depicted were thought to have come from the Jewel House (Tamaya). Hidemaro was predominate in the Bunka period (1804-1817), he designed bijin-e in tradition of his master Utamaro (1754-1806). He assisted the latter in 1804 with the publication of the erotic Picture Book of the Green Houses and their Ceremonial throughout the year (Seiro Yehon Nenju gyoji) which was written by the well-known writer Jippensha Ikku. A native of Shitaya-Yanagi, Hidemaro would frequent teahouses of the Yoshiwara in search of famous beauties for his prints.

Gift of Hugh W. Sanford Jr.

color woodblock print