Tōsei Karitaku Saiken Kagami (Mirror of a Guide to Temporary Lodgings)

US$350.00

ENQUIRE

BUY

Tōsei Karitaku Saiken Kagami ["Mirror of a Guide to Temporary Lodgings"]

Chōkarō [Ochiai/Utagawa], Yoshiiku [illustrated by].

[Edo (Tōkyō)]: [Ōtaya] Takichi, Bunkyū 2 [1862].

A woodblock print featuring an illustration of a courtesan and child and a ranking of courtesans of the Nakagawa pleasure house, designed by Ochiai (Utagawa) Yoshiiku (1833-1904). Karitaku were residences borrowed by oiran for conducting business legally when the pleasure quarters were affected by fires - a common threat in an area crowded with wooden structures. Yoshiwara Saiken guides to the Yoshiwara pleasure quarters in Tokyo were published regularly, with each entry for each pleasure house listing the ranks of courtesans. The upper panel of this print mimics the format of the Yoshiwara Saiken, listing the courtesans of the Nakagawa pleasure house from the highest (upper right) to lowest (lower left) ranks. The aratame-in censor seal is for the eleventh month of Bunkyū 2 (1862). Records of this print are scarce, but at least two other prints in the same series are known to have been produced. The karazuri blind-embossing on the eri collar of the courtesan is a nice touch. A scarce nishiki-e intersecting the Edo and Meiji periods, and book and print cultures.

One leaf, woodblock-printed on one side, complete. Light wear, browning, creases, and a few small ink marks to leaf. Small bump and marks to lower margin. 37 x 25 cm.

Tōsei Karitaku Saiken Kagami (Mirror of a Guide to Temporary Lodgings)
Price: $350.00 (USD)