Kitao MASANOBU (1761-1816)
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Shows a couple caught in a downpour, the man shielding his companion with an umbrella. They are on the shore of Lake Biwa, northeast of Kyoto. In the distance can be seen the famous ancient pine tree in the grounds of the Karasaki Shrine. An unsigned (few of Masanobu’s prints are signed or have publisher’s seals) chuban set Furyu Omi hakkei, “Fashionable Eight Views of Omi,” this being night rain at Karasaki. Wrote under the name Santo Kyoden. Was also a painter, and illustrator of his own novels while owning a tobacco accessory shop. Published c. 1783. Rare.
Fine impression and colour. Small backing paper at top two corners, otherwise fine condition.
Status: Available
Santo KYODEN (Kitao MASANOBU) (1761-1816)
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A pair of original paintings, full colour on silk, image size 38.5 x 15.5 in; 97.75 x 39.5 cms. Shows a courtesan on the left with a portrait of a novelist on the right. The paintings are signed “By special request” and were presumably commissioned by the novelist showing his paramour. I have not identified the novelist. Masanobu was a pupil of Shigemasa and was one of the leading authors and illustrators of kibyoshi, ehon and kyoka anthologies as well as being a painter and print artist. He illustrated the fine set of double-oban prints of courtesans in 1783-4: Yoshiwara keisai shin bijin awase jihitsu kagami. These painting must come from around this date as the pose of the courtesan is very similar to some of the figures in the above album. A controversial figure who ran foul of the authorities in 1789, subsequently ceasing to use the name Kitao Masanobu and thereafter his paintings are always spontaneous in an abbreviated style, often quite slight and signed Kyoden. Paintings fully finished like this are rare. In generally very good condition, although some loss of gofun. Signed Oju Kyoden Masanobu ga on each painting.
Status: Available
Santo KYODEN (Kitao MASANOBU) (1761-1816)
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An original painting, full colour on paper, image size 47 x 15.5 in; 119.5 x 39.5 cms. A pupil of Kitao Shigemasa, he was one of the leading authors and illustrators of kibyoshi, ehon and kyoka anthologies. Also produced prints of beauties including the fine set of double-oban prints of courtesans in 1783-4: Yoshiwara keisei shin bijin awase jihitsu kagami. A controversial figure who ran foul of the authorities in 1789; he subsequently ceased using the name Kitao Masanobu and thereafter his paintings are always spontaneous in an abbreviated style, often quite slight and signed Kyoden. The example offered here showing a parading courtesan with her lantern behind her is more finished than most. The calligraphy above by Kyoden. In very good condition with box guaranteed by Tosuke Kimura.
Signed Kyoden gasan, “Painted and inscribed by Kyoden.” Seals Santo Kyoden, Seishu koji and another.
Status: Sold
Kitao MASANOBU (Santo KYODEN) (1761-1816)
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One double-oban design from the most sumptuous album ever produced: Yoshiwara keisei: Shin bijin awase jihitsu kagami, “A Mirror of New Yoshiwara Courtesans with Samples of Their Calligraphy.” Published by Tsutaya Juzaburo, 1784. Shows courtesans viewing calligraphic scrolls. Seven double-oban designs were published in album form, although the original intention was for a larger set. Signed on two sheets Kitao sensai Masanobu.
Fine impression. Extremely good colour. Centre fold (as always), several very small wormholes and minor marks, but otherwise in very good condition.
Status: Sold
Kitao MASANOBU (Santo KYODEN) (1761-1816)
Click here to view image full size.
One double-oban design from the most sumptuous album ever produced: Yoshiwara keisei: Shin bijin awase jihitsu kagami, “A Mirror of New Yoshiwara Courtesans with Samples of Their Calligraphy.” Published by Tsutaya Juzaburo, 1784. Shows courtesans viewing calligraphic scrolls. Seven double-oban designs were published in album form, although the original intention was for a larger set. Signed on two sheets Kitao sensai Masanobu.
Fine impression and colour. Centre fold (as always), otherwise very good condition.
Status: Sold
Kitao MASANOBU (Santo Kyoden) (1761-1816)
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The most famous double oban design from Yoshiwara keisai shin bijin awase jihitsu kagami, “A Mirror Comparing the Handwriting of New and Beautiful Courtesans of the Yoshiwara”. Published by Tsutaya Jusaburo, 1784. One of the most important and sumptuous publications. Shows the courtesans Hitomoto and Tagosode with their shinzo and kamuro. The first edition with the publishers’s address “Omonguchi” above seal and the only design fully signed. Jack Hillier’s copy of this print is illustrated in colour in his book Japanese Colour Prints, Phaidon, 1972, pl.25.
Fine impression with gauffrage. Very good colour. Slight soil but otherwise very good condition. Heavy hosho. Signed Kitao Rissai Masanobu ga.
Status: Sold
Kitao MASANOBU (Santo Kyoden) (1761-1816)
Click here to view image full size.
A double oban design from Yoshiwara keisai shin bijin awase jihitsu kagami, “A Mirror Comparing the Handwriting of New and Beautiful Courtesans of the Yoshiwara”. Published by Tsutaya Jusaburo, 1784. One of the most important and sumptuous publications. Shows the courtesans Azumaya and Kokonoe of the Matsugane-ya house with their shinzo and kamuro. Second edition with revised palette.
Fine impression and colour. A few expertly repaired wormholes, otherwise very good condition.
Status: Sold