1964 After Kiyonaga "The Ferry on the Rokugo River", Full-Color Print From Japan

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A stunning large full-color Ukiyo-E Hanga print after original woodblock print "The Ferry on the Rokugo River", a part of … Read more A stunning large full-color Ukiyo-E Hanga print after original woodblock print "The Ferry on the Rokugo River", a part of Diptych, by Kiyonaga (1752-1815). Comes from a rare Collection of 24 Masterpieces by Kiyonaga. Produced & published by Shuei-Sha, Tokyo, in July 1964. Printers: Toppan Printing Co., LTD. Printed on one side. Attached at the top to a board of heavy textured paper, covered with lighter sheet of paper for protection, numbered 21 on the label on the front of the cover. Excellent condition - minor edge wear on the board, minor age wear on the cover, never framed, ready to be framed. Copy of the commentary by Mr. Sadao Kikuchi (below) in Japanese and English is included.

Overall (folded) 12.55"W x 18.20"H
Overall (unfolded) 25"W x 18.20"H
Image 10.05"W x 14.90"H

Commentary by Ukiyo-e Art consultant & editor Mr. Sadao Kikuchi:

Nishiki-e, O-ban, Diptych
Signature: signed KIYONAGA
Printers: Unidentified
In the possession of Mr. Seiichiro Katsumoto, Tokyo

The government, for security reasons, prohibited to build bridges over the rivers around Edo (former name of Tokyo), which made it necessary for people to travel by the ferry. People were feeling acute inconvenience because of it. But this picture seems to bring out the brighter side of it. People on the ferry are enjoying their trip in all appearance. Mt. Fuji is seen on the left, and on the opposite bank, a lantern bearing the Chinese ideographs representing Kobo-Daishi, the great medieval priest-founder of a Buddhist sect much worshipped by people. KIYONAGA in this picture features 3 groups of men and women; 3 women at the ships bow, mother and infant, and thirdly man and woman talking together. The green-dominated color scheme of the opposite river banks and the blue of water are meant to enhance the pink, violet, and light blue of the people's costumes. The women are typical KIYONAGA beauties, cherubic, healthy and plebeian. The whiteness of the girls' legs, the child all dressed up, the group on the ferry and the distant view of the river evoke the sense of inimitable harmony and lyricism.

This picture is diptych but some maintain that there was a third panel to it, making it a triptych. The picture at any rate is one of most highly rated ones of KIYONAGA. See less