Edo meibutsu: nishikie kōsaku (The cultivation of brocade prints, a famous product of Edo)

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Edo meibutsu: nishikie kōsaku ["The cultivation of brocade prints, a famous product of Edo"]

[Kitagawa], Utamarō [illustrated by].

[Japan: publisher unidentified, ca. early to mid Shōwa period (1930-60s)?].

A woodblock-printed reproduction of the central print from Utamarō's Edo meibutsu: nishikie kōsaku triptych. The triptych was originally published around 1803 by Tsuruya Kinsuke (Sōkakudō) and shows women in typically male roles related to the production of woodblock prints. In this central print, one carver in the upper right is cutting the finer lines of a hanshita illustration into a block, while a helper sharpens one of her carving tools in the foreground. On the left another carver is hard at work cutting out the less intricate parts of a block with a chisel and hammer - her hair is noticeably bedraggled, suggesting she has one of the most physically taxing tasks. A skillfully printed reproduction from the Shōwa period.

One loose ōban print (central print only of a triptych), lightly browned. Minor marks to the carver's desk and the pile of woodblocks in the illustration. Residue of mounting removal to verso. 37 x 25.2 cm. 

Edo meibutsu: nishikie kōsaku (The cultivation of brocade prints, a famous product of Edo)
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