Ukiyo-e Prints

浮世絵版画

UTAGAWA KUNISADA

歌川国貞

うたがわくにさだ

1786-1864

Series Title: Modern Views of Summer

Tōsei natsu geshiki

當世夏景色

とうせいなつけしき

Print Title: Morning Glory (?)

Asagao

朝顔

あさがお

Date: Ca. 1826

Signed: Gototei Kunisada ga

五渡亭国貞画

Publisher: Matsumura Tatsuemon

 松村辰衛門

 まつむら.たつえもん

SOLD

There are five prints in this series. Three of them are illustrated in color in Kunisada's World by Sebastian Izzard on pages 102 and 103. Each of those examples shows the kiwame censor's seal immediately above the publisher's mark. Our print lacks the kiwame. Nonetheless, there are many other similarities. For example, each of the prints shows naturalistic hairpins with dangling beaded attachments. Like the hairpin seen on this page the prints entitled "The Ground Cherries" and "The Mosquito-Net Vendor" have their accessories casually looped back over the pin. For me this is the detailed touch which gives this print its most approachable feature. Everyone has different tastes, but for me this and the overall look is the epitome of beauty in Japanese woodblocks.