color woodcut, ink, paper, size 34x24 cm, artist's signature, originallabel and stamp affixed to the back indicate that this woodcut was published by the National Museum of Tokyo between 1947 and 1952, when the Museum commissioned high-quality reissues of many ukiyo-e masterpieces from its collection.
An interesting scene showing actor Ichikawa Monnosuke with beauties. All three are looking at a shunga book with erotic woodcuts. A young girl holds her sleeve under her chin while the actor wrinkles his brow and his hand rests on her shoulder.
Torii Kiyonaga (1752-1815) was a prominent Japanese ukiyo-e artist of the Edo period. He was born in Edo (present-day Tokyo) and became a member of the Torii school, known for its association with kabuki theater and production of plays. Kiyonaga is best known for his bijin-ga prints, depicting elegant and fashionable women of various social classes. His works often featured the latest trends in fashion, hairstyles and accessories. His bijin-ga graphics are characterized by a refined and delicate style and attention to intricate detail and vivid color. He emphasized elegant poses, graceful movements and use of space, with which he influenced later generations of artists. Despite his success during his lifetime, Kiyonagi's popularity declined after his death. His work experienced a renaissance in the late 19th century and in the 20th century, when ukiyo-e woodcuts once again gained interest both in Japan and internationally. Today Torii Kiyonaga is considered one of the masters of ukiyo-e, and his prints are highly regarded for their artistic and historical value.In the second half of the 20th century, Japanese artists and publishers collaborated to reproduce the famous woodblock prints for interested collectors looking for rare designs. New blocks were created, and the prints were painstakingly printed by artisans using the same method as the 19th century originals - one block for each color. Reissues of woodblock prints are an opportunity to collect and enjoy the famous designs by renowned Japanese artists.
