Katsushika HOKUSAI (1760-1849); Kyokutei BAKIN (1767-1848); Jippensha IKKU (1765-1831)

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An original painting by Hokusai showing the back view of a courtesan. Above are inscriptions by Bakin and Ikku, the two leading writers of the day. ( Bakin is famous for writing Chronicles of the Eight Dog Heroes of the Satomi Clan of Nanso and Ikku for writing the most humorous book in the Japanese language: Shank’s Mare Journey on the Tokaido.) This painting was originally sold at the Tokyo Bijutsu Club, December 3rd, 1928. It is illustrated in Katsushika Hokusai Paintings, Mainich Shimbun, 1975. It is signed Toyo Katsushika Hokusai ga, “Painted by Katsushika Hokusai of Orient” and the seal, Katsushika Hokusai, is the same seal as that used on the pair of hand scrolls, Day and Night, in the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. Colour and sumi on paper, 11.12 x 11.5 in; 28.2 x 29.2 cms. An intriguing old mount and sold with original sales slip from 1928 and a copy of the 1975 catalogue.

The inscriptions translate as:

I went out dressed up very lightly just to show off for the sake of cherry blossom viewing party.
However, I ended up catching a cold and all my efforts to enjoy the cherry blossoms went for nothing.

Jippensha Ikku

Yoshiwara is located in the north of Mount Kinryu, and it is a very grassy place.
Here I live inside the fence of Miuraya,
I am worshiped by so many guests.
Even though I devote myself completely to seek popularity every day,
I am a louse whose heart cannot be stolen by money alone.
This is my mettle as a courtesan.

Kyokutei Bakin

Status: Sold