Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)

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Women bringing offerings to the great shrine in Izumo, Izumo, taisha hotohoto no zue. Hotohoto was a festival on the 14th day of the first month and children went around receiving rice cakes or small amounts of money. One of the best designs from Rokuju yoshu meisho zue, “Famous Places in the Sixty-Odd Provinces.” The series published by Koshimuraya Heisuke between 7/1853 and 3/1856 ( this being 12/1853 ). Izumo is the oldest shrine in Japan in the far south-east of Honshu. The colourful foreground figures contrast with the silhouettes of others and cryptomeria trees receding into the mist.

Fine early impression with nice wiped bokashi across the foreground ( missing on later editions ). The first edition has gradation on the gowns of two of the figures and the trees are hardly visible. ( See Pulverer impression in Rokujuyoshu Meisho Zue, Iwanami Shoten, Tokyo, 1996, no 42. ) Fine colour. Imperceptible centre fold. Very good condition. Signed Ichiryusai Hiroshige ga.

Status: Sold