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高名美人判じ絵集 「高嶋おひさ」 合わせ鏡
Takashima Ohisa, from an untitled series of rebus prints
高名美人判じ絵集 「高嶋おひさ」 合わせ鏡
Japanese
Edo period
about 1795 (Kansei 7)
Medium/Technique
Woodblock print (nishiki-e); ink and color on paper
Dimensions
Vertical ôban; 37.8 × 25.3 cm (14 7/8 × 9 15/16 in.)
Credit Line
Anonymous gift
Accession Number1999.228
NOT ON VIEW
CollectionsAsia, Prints and Drawings
ClassificationsPrints
Catalogue Raisonné
Asano & Clark, Passionate Art (1995), #212; Ukiyo-e shûka 3 (1978), p. 241, #491.3.1, pl. 145; Shibui, Ukiyo-e zuten Utamaro (1964), 195.1.3; Yoshida, Utamaro zenshû (1941), #4; Ukiyo-e taisei 7 (1931), #232 (2nd edition)
DescriptionMFA impressions: 21.6410, 1999.228 (both first edition)
The square cartouche contains a rebus including Ohisa's name, which might be read as "Takashima (O)hisa getting dressed in the evening" (Takashima Hisa mijitaku no ban). The narrow rectangular gives hints about her age: "the days when the evening is dark [i.e. the 16th-18th of each month] and the day of the big Asakusa holiday [i.e. the 18th]" (Yoiyami no hi to Asakusa no ômonobi).
The second edition, presumably issued after rebuses had been made illegal, has an inset with iris instead.
The square cartouche contains a rebus including Ohisa's name, which might be read as "Takashima (O)hisa getting dressed in the evening" (Takashima Hisa mijitaku no ban). The narrow rectangular gives hints about her age: "the days when the evening is dark [i.e. the 16th-18th of each month] and the day of the big Asakusa holiday [i.e. the 18th]" (Yoiyami no hi to Asakusa no ômonobi).
The second edition, presumably issued after rebuses had been made illegal, has an inset with iris instead.
Signed
Utamaro hitsu
歌麿筆
歌麿筆
Marks
No censor's seal
改印：なし
改印：なし
ProvenanceMary Stevenson Cassatt (b. 1844 - d. 1926); until 1999, by descent within the family of Mary Cassatt; 1999, anonymous gift to the MFA. (Accession Date: June 23, 1999)