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I would greatly appreciate some clarification on whether this Chokosai Eisho woodblock print is the real McCoy. The Ukiyo-e site has the image, but mine has different coloration. I bought this, and several others at a garage sale, and I am hooked on woodblock prints. I removed it from the frame and colors are translucent, it bleeds through the paper, and outline edges are not uniform. The paint appears faded, like you would expect it to be.

Thanks in advance for your help, Carlos.

Carlos,

Sorry. Definitely not an original. Comparing it to an original at the Boston MFA here:

http://www.mfa.org/collections/object/hinazuru-of-the-ch%C3%B4jiya-from-the-series-contest-of-beauties-of-the-pleasure-quarters-kakuch%C3%BB-bijin-kurabe-232632

one can see immediate differences. Note the lack of two cartouches on yours in the upper left, the different signature, different hairpins, different pattern on the kimono, etc.

Cheers,
Stan

Stan,
Thank you so much for the clarification. Your original at Boston MFA makes a striking difference to my piece. Really appreciate your time and expertise.

Regards, Carlos.

I'm betting 20th century reproduction. Probably late 20th century.

The colors are just too bright, the edges too "hard", and the overall condition just too pristine to be an original 18th century print.

BTW, most all of the most popular, classic, Ukiyo-e prints have been redone at some time or other. Some have never NOT been in production since they were first composed. And the present-day publishers are still equipped and capable to use the old woodblock printing methods.

Geo,
While not the news I wanted to hear, just having this piece is exciting. I'm new to woodblock prints, and love them. I have several others, and your info will add to my knowledge on the subject.

Regards, Carlos

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