Japanese Woodblock Print, originally published 1790 by Tsuruya Kiemon, this is a Showa era edition published by Takamizawa and printed from recarved woodblocks

SIZE IN INCHES: Each panel approx 10.5 x 15.75. Overall: 31.5 x 15.75 inches

COMMENTS: Female divers for abalone are watched by women travellers. From the topography this looks to be "Chopping Block Rock" at Iwaya in Enoshima, which means that the women travellers are probably on a pilgrimage to the Benten Shrine on the island of Enosima. Around this time Utamaro designed three separate triptychs on the theme of pilgrimages to Enoshima. The display of treasures at the Benten Shrine of Enoshima took place once every six years in Snake and Boar years, and on those occasions the number of pilgrims would be very much larger. The year for the display of shrine treasures closest to the date of production of this print was the Boar year of 1791. It can be suggested therefore that Utamaro got together with publishers in the previous winter of 1790, to produce a group of works in anticipation of the pilgrimage in the following year.

KITAGAWA UTAMARO, (1753-1806), was a Japanese printmaker and painter who was one of the greatest artists of the ukiyo-e movement; he is known especially for his masterfully composed portraits of sensuous female beauties.

Probably born in a provincial town, he went to Edo (now Tokyo) with his mother. There, under the name of Toyoaki, he started painting and designing rather unoriginal wood-block prints of women. He also occupied himself with nature studies and published many illustrated books, of which Gahon chusen (1788; Insects) is best known.

About 1791 Utamaro gave up designing prints for books and concentrated on making half-length single portraits of women rather than prints of women in groups as favored by other ukiyo-e artists. In 1804, at the height of his success, he made some prints depicting the military ruler Toyotomi Hideyoshi's wife and concubines. Consequently, he was accused of insulting Hideyoshi's dignity and was ordered to be handcuffed for 50 days. The experience crushed him emotionally and ended his career as an artist. Among his best known works are the wood-block-print series Ten Physiognomies of Women, Twelve Hours at the Gay Quarters, The Seven Beauties of the Gay Quarters, and Women in Love.

VG, no flaws