Utagawa KUNISADA (1786-1865)

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Fuji kaeri no yudachi, “Sudden Shower on the Way Home.” Shows a beauty hunched under an umbrella against the rain. From a set of ten prints Tosei bijin awase, “Contest of Present-day Beauties.” She is returning from the Fuji festival celebrating the annual opening of Mount Fuji to pilgrims on the first day of the sixth month. (The straw snake in the cartouche, top right, is a souvenir from the festival.) Miniature mounds representing Fuji were made in locations such as Asakusa and Komagome and could reach 39 ft. high. Published by Moritaya Hanzo, 1827. A fine design.

Fine impression. Very slight “turning” of the fujitive blue on the umbrella, otherwise fine colour. A later edition was published replacing the beautiful pigment on the umbrella with a coarse dark blue pigment. Fine condition. Signed Gototei Kunisada ga.

Status: Sold