Printed from Woolley & Wallis

Description

ISODA KORYUSAI (1735-90)
UTAGAWA TOYOKUNI (1769-1825)
EDO PERIOD, 18TH/19TH CENTURY

Two Japanese woodblock prints, the first by Koryusai depicting an oiran with two attendants, all three standing by a well, probably from the series Hinagata wakana no hatsu moyo (Models for Fashion: New Year Designs as Fresh as Young Leaves), signed Koryu ga and with kakihan, published by Nishimuraya Yohachi (Eijudo), c.1777, 38cm x 25.3cm; the other by Toyokuni depicting a Kabuki actor and an onnagata, signed Toyokuni ga, 37.4cm x 24.7cm. (2)

Provenance: from the collection of Brian McElney OBE (1932-2023), and thence by descent.