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Subject:Inscriptions on Utamaro Kitagawa prints
Posted By: Mary Wed, Mar 29, 2017 IP: 2600:8801:8a01:0f00:

I have just purchased two beautifully framed prints by Utamaro Kitagawa. I'm hoping someone can tell me what the inscription indicates.
Thank you for your help.





Subject:Re: Inscriptions on Utamaro Kitagawa prints
Posted By: Guy Thu, Mar 30, 2017

The upper inscription reads 'Utamaro hitsu' (歌麿筆 - painted by Utamaro) followed by the publiher's mark of Tsutaya Jûzaburô.

The title cartouche reads 'Kasen koi no bu' (歌撰恋之部 - Anthology of Poems: The Love Section) and the subject: 'Mono-omoi koi' (物思恋 - Reflective Love).

This series of five prints was published by Tsutaya Jûzaburô ca.1793-94. See for further info the Wikipedia page.

I add a picture of an original copy in the British Museum.

Guy.




URL Title :Kasen Koi no Bu


Subject:Re: Inscriptions on Utamaro Kitagawa prints
Posted By: Mary Arnold Fri, Mar 31, 2017

Guy, Thank you so much for the info. I was hoping it identified the printer, since what I have is a well done recut. I sure appreciate your help. Mary

Subject:Re: Inscriptions on Utamaro Kitagawa prints
Posted By: Stan Fri, Mar 31, 2017

The one at the Boston MFA is in better shape and you can see the title cartouche in the upper right:

http://www.mfa.org/collections/object/reflective-love-mono-omou-koi-from-the-series-anthology-of-poems-the-love-section-kasen-koi-no-bu-234080

You will note that your copy has the publisher's seal below the signature and the original has it above.

Cheers,
Stan

Subject:Re: Inscriptions on Utamaro Kitagawa prints
Posted By: Mary Arnold Sat, Apr 01, 2017

I had seen the MFA Boston original. It is beautiful. Thanks again for your input.

Subject:Re: Inscriptions on Utamaro Kitagawa prints
Posted By: Stan Thu, Mar 30, 2017

I can help. Since I don't read Japanese, I will need pictures of the prints. Utamaro prints have been copied many times over. Original prints are fairly rare. Originals in good shape are even rarer.

The top one is just Utamaro's signature. The bottom one is the series title of the print.

Cheers,
Stan

Subject:Re: Inscriptions on Utamaro Kitagawa prints
Posted By: Mary Arnold Fri, Mar 31, 2017

Thank you Stan. I appreciate it.

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Subject:Re: Inscriptions on Utamaro Kitagawa prints
Posted By: Guy Fri, Mar 31, 2017

Sorry, the subject title on your print is of course 深く忍恋 ('Fukaku shinobu koi' or "Deeply hidden love").

Guy.



Subject:Re: Inscriptions on Utamaro Kitagawa prints
Posted By: Mary Sat, Apr 01, 2017

But you supplied the rest of the info. I already had the title. Thanks again.


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