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「雛形若菜の初模様 四ﾂ目や内 かつ山」
In the city of Edo, the most popular pets were cats (neko), whose natural elegance was often compared to the beauty of the famous courtesans of the Yoshiwara district. This series of prints by Koryūsai used a new, larger format to show the elaborate costumes worn by the courtesans and their attendants when they paraded through the streets on New Year’s Day. As this group prepares to go outside, one of the attendants is playing with a cat, perhaps trying to teach it the special “figure-eight” walk used by courtesans to show off their finery.
Katsuyama of the Yotsumeya, from the series Models for Fashion: New Year Designs as Fresh as Young Leaves (Hinagata wakana no hatsu moyô)
「雛形若菜の初模様 四ﾂ目や内 かつ山」
Japanese
Edo period
about 1777–78 (An'ei 6–7)
Medium/Technique
Woodblock print (nishiki-e); ink and color on paper
Dimensions
Vertical ôban; 37.6 x 25.9 cm (14 13/16 x 10 3/16 in.)
Credit Line
William Sturgis Bigelow Collection
Accession Number11.14598
NOT ON VIEW
CollectionsAsia, Prints and Drawings
ClassificationsPrints
In the city of Edo, the most popular pets were cats (neko), whose natural elegance was often compared to the beauty of the famous courtesans of the Yoshiwara district. This series of prints by Koryūsai used a new, larger format to show the elaborate costumes worn by the courtesans and their attendants when they paraded through the streets on New Year’s Day. As this group prepares to go outside, one of the attendants is playing with a cat, perhaps trying to teach it the special “figure-eight” walk used by courtesans to show off their finery.
Catalogue Raisonné
Hockley 2003, p. 229, #II-C-39
DescriptionMFA impressions: 11.14598, 21.8218
Signed
Koryûsai zu
湖龍斎図
湖龍斎図
Marks
Artist's seal: kakihan
ProvenanceBy 1911, purchased by William Sturgis Bigelow (b. 1850 - d. 1926), Boston [see note 1]; 1911, gift of Bigelow to the MFA. (Accession Date: August 3, 1911)
NOTES:
[1] Much of Bigelow's collection of Asian art was formed during his residence in Japan between 1882 and 1889, although he also made acquisitions in Europe and the United States. Bigelow deposited many of these objects at the MFA in 1890 before donating them to the Museum's collection at later dates.
NOTES:
[1] Much of Bigelow's collection of Asian art was formed during his residence in Japan between 1882 and 1889, although he also made acquisitions in Europe and the United States. Bigelow deposited many of these objects at the MFA in 1890 before donating them to the Museum's collection at later dates.