Page 103 - September 21 2021 Important Japanese Art Christie's NYC

117 KITAGAWA UTAMARO (1754-1806) 118 KITAGAWA UTAMARO (1754-1806)

Two geisha walking at night Daimonjiya uchi Hitomoto (The

courtesan Hitomoto of the house
Woodblock print, from the series Toshi bijin
sanyu (Three amusements of contemporary of Daimonji-ya)
beauties), signed Utamaro hitsu, published by
Murataya Jirobei (Eiyudo), circa 1800 Woodblock print, from the series Yukun
Vertical nagaban: 20º x 9 in. (51.2 x 22.6 cm.) gosekku (Courtesans for the Five Festivals),
signed Utamaro hitsu, published by Wakasaya
$8,000-12,000 Yoichi
Vertical oban: 15 x 9æ in. (38.1 x 24.7 cm.)
$5,000-7,000

119 KITAGAWA UTAMARO (1754-1806)

Kono kimi neko to asobi (The

type that plays with a cat)

Woodblock print, from the series Edo
mutamagao (Six jewel-like faces of Edo), skin
parts with pink outline, signed Utamaro hitsu,
published by Ymaguchiya Chusuke (Tsuruya
Kiemon), circa 1802
Vertical oban: 14√ x 10 in. (37.5 x 25.2 cm.)

$6,000-8,000

The use of pink outline for the facial feature is very unusual for
Utamaro’s works. It is very experimental technique, and may
be the way of expressing the soft curve of the woman’s face and
body.