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Hi, Id love to hear from anyone who collects or has any knowledge about Otsu-e, folk paintings from Otsue made in the Edo period.

I have here for your comment two of my recent acquisitions along with my first piece.

Your comments are appreciated,

Thank you

Andy

Hi Andy
I dont have any real experience with Otsu-e but you have a demon, the wisteria maiden and Benki, I am sure you knew that already. I'm not sure all your pieces date from the Edo period. The best reference I have found so far is "Otsu-e, Japanese Folk Paintings from the Harriet and Edson Spencer Collection" by Matthew Welch ISBN 0-912964-55-3
cheers
David

Hi David, than you very much for your reply. the second painting is reminiscant of the Fuji Musume-Wisteria Maiden but is in fact the Onna Komusou, a female travelling flute player-another common Otsu-e subject.

The third painting is not of Benkei but of Kintaro, not a common Otsu-e subject like Benkei but a very well known folk-hero nonetheless.

As you say the first picture is of an Oni a demon, playing the shamisen and drinking-although this picture has the unusual addition of the Oni doing Tsuki-mi -moon viewing

Which pieces do you doubt being Edo?

Certainly none of the pieces are early Edo, I believe them all to be from the 19th century.
I can provide detailed pictures if they are helpful.

Ive been meaning to get that book about the Spencer and Harris collection, is it any good? Ive read it only examines 24 pieces but it examines them in detail, whereas most references Ive found just give subject names and pictures.

Thanks again and best regards,

Andy

Hi Andy, I think you are right with your attributions now that I have a closer look at these, told you I didnt know much about Otsu-e. My main interest is Ogata Gekko.
The book I mentioned is a good overview of Otsu-e which uses the illustrations to highlight the general features and history of the field. I would recommend it
cheers
David

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