Comment - The tryptich depicts three bijin (beautiful women) standing on the bank of the Sumida River that flows through modern day Tokyo. Several ships are moored on the shore, others ply the Sumida. The left panel presents a lady with her back turned to the viewer, revealing the sash of her kimono decorated with several yakko kites. The motif of her dress has associations with the Japanese festival of Children’s Day traditionally celebrated in Spring. Sparsely placed, the upper half of her robe is adorned with two paulownia flowers.

The title of the triptych (Tôsei fûzoku kô, 当盛風俗好) is written in the cassette on right panel, upper right. The portraits of the beauties are completed entirely in Prussian blue. Entering Japan from the West, the then expensive and exotic blue pigment (Prussian Blue) sparked a wealth of inspiration for artists during the Edo period. These nearly monochromatic prints are named Aizuri-e. A version without the brownish colours is available.


Series - ~


Artist - see Biography


Signature -  Ichiyûsai Kuniyoshi ga (一勇斎国芳画) on all three panels with circular date and censor's seals above the publishers mark


Publisher -  Enomotoya Kichibei (榎本屋吉兵衛) from Hoeido Publishers (豊栄堂) with  their Kichi Seal (吉) on all panels


Image Size - 38.1 x 75.1 cm  (15" x 29 9/16")

Condition - triptych, three single panels; restored; nishiki-e (cloured woodblock); Vertical ôban (ôban tate-e);