Utagawa Kunisada II

1823-1880

Comparison of Modern Flowers with Six Petals [Snowflakes]: Nagao of the Bishuro House in Shin-Yoshiwara
(Imayo mutsu no hana kurabe: Shin yoshiwara bishuro, Nagao)

signed Kunisada ga, with censor's date seal Tori-roku aratame (year of the rooster, 6th month, examined), publisher's seal of Tsutaya Kichizo (Koeido), 1861

oban tate-e 14 3/4 by 10 in., 37.47 by 25.4 cm

The courtesan Nagao models an impressive dark purple kosode decorated with vines of blue and red morning glories, with a wide dark green obi with a floral pattern over dark blue sayagata (interlocking 'manji'). Her yoko-hyogo hairstyle resembling the parting wings of a butterfly is further adorned with a weighty array of gold lacquer ornaments and combs. She is accompanied by two kamuro (attendants) with elaborate silver-colored hair ornaments wearing matching furisode (lit. 'swingng sleeve') kimono made from the same mornng glories over dark purple material, and their contrasting orange and red obi have a similar pattern to that of Nagao.

References (from same series):
Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, accession no. 11.39084 (Nagahama of the Owari-ro House)
National Museum of Ireland, Collins Barracks (Hamaoji of the Bishuro House)

(inv. no. 10-5599)

price: $750