In Front of the Matsubaya Tea Shop
Kitagawa Utamaro
Description
This narrow print was designed as an advertisement to be posted on a pillar. It shows the grand courtesan of the Matsubaya Tea House accompanied by her young attendant.
Subject Matter:
As the Label Copy explains above, this is an advertisement for the Matsubaya Tea Shop. Kitagawa Utamaro, a famous ukiyo-e artist, specializes in bijin okubi-e. Bijin okubi-e is style of art with the subject of beautiful women and enlarged heads.
Physical Description:
This color woodblock depicts two women. One towards the bottom of the paper and one in the upper middle. They both look to the left. The woman above is wearing a kimono of white, pink, blue, and black with yellow/gold designs. The younger girl wears all except the black overcoat. Their hair is up in similar ways with flowers in their hair. Above both of them are three lines of writing.
Usage Rights:
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