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Takashima Ohisa (Takashima Ohisa)


高名美人判じ絵集 「高嶋おひさ」 合わせ鏡
Kitagawa Utamaro I (Japanese, early 1750s–1806)
Publisher: Matsumura Tatsuemon (Japanese)
Japanese
Edo period
about 1795 (Kansei 7)

Medium/Technique Woodblock print (nishiki-e); ink and color on paper
Dimensions Vertical ôban; 36.3 x 25 cm (14 5/16 x 9 13/16 in.)
Credit Line William S. and John T. Spaulding Collection
Accession Number21.6410
NOT ON VIEW
ClassificationsPrints

Catalogue Raisonné Asano & Clark, Passionate Art (1995), #212; Ukiyo-e shûka 3 (1978), list #491.3.1, pl. 145; Shibui, Ukiyo-e zuten Utamaro (1964), 195.1.3; Yoshida, Utamaro zenshû (1941), #323 (2nd ed.); Ukiyo-e taisei 7 (1931), #232 (2nd ed.)
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.
Signed Utamaro hitsu
歌麿筆
Marks No censor's seal
改印:なし
ProvenanceJune 1913, purchased by William S. and John T. Spaulding from Sumitomo collection; December 1, 1921, given by William S. and John T. Spaulding to the Museum.