The Lovers Chubei and Umekawa

Data

The Lovers Chubei and Umekawa
Print   (Part of the set: Masterpiece Ukiyo-e Collection - Part 1)

Kitagawa Utamaro
Takamizawa
1952

2019
00016-030
https://mokuhankan.com/collection/index.php?id_for_display=00016-030

Print is Public Domain; Photography is:   Creative Commons License

Description

This print shows the happy companionship of Umegawa and Chubei. The two lovers walk together in the rain, and Chubei shelters Umegawa with an umbrella while she adjusts her sash. The print is from the Omi Hakkei (逢身八契, "Eight Meetings" or "Eight Pledges at Lovers' Meetings") series of prints by Utamaro. The series is of course based on the famous Omi Hakkei (近江八景, "Eight Views of Ōmi") series by Hiroshige, which was in turn based on a Chinese set of prints titled "Eight Views of Xiaoxiang". This particular print represents the "Returning Sails" theme (hinted in the vignette in the upper-left) traditionally present in all "Eight Views" series.

This print is an o-ban nishiki-e ("large size brocade print"), also known as an o-nishiki. Bokashi gradation can be seen around the edges of the print, mimicking the fading of older ukiyo-e that results from prolonged exposure to light.

Another Search

Deeply Hidden Love
Masterpiece Ukiyo-e Collection - Part 2