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Subject:Re: Kakemono signature
Posted By: Guy Pepermans Sun, Nov 08, 2009
Hi again David,
This a very fine Kyoto ukiyo-e painting in the style of (or probably by) the famous master Mihata Joryu (or Joryo), who was active 1830-1844. I don't know of your painting of a courtesan has a signature or a seal in the design itself; the inscription on the reverse is not the signature but reads simply "bijin ga" (painting of a beauty). Mihata Joryu is known for his dynamic design of his beauties robes. Another Kyoto painter that worked in a similar dynamic style was his follower Yoshihara Shinryu (1804-56). Both artists and also others Kyoto masters like Gion Seitoku (1781-c. 1829), Yamaguchi Soken (1759-1818), Bairinsai Setsuzan (dates unknown) to name a few, were very popular in their time but almost forgotten now; they are overlooked or even disliked by the general public and the art dealers in the West. In my opinion this is a great injustice. Paintings of Kyoto beauties are rarely featured since most people focus on Edo beauties, often painted by universally known ukiyo-e print artists.
Maybe things are changing a bit now - a most interesting exhibition with the focus on these Kyoto ukiyo-e artists and titled "Japanese Beauties, Glamorous, Decadent, Sensuous and Bizarre" was held last summer at The Clark Center for Japanese Art and Culture, Hanford, CA (see link below).
Guy.
URL Title :Clark Center for Japanese Art and Culture - summer exhibition.
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- David Viner - Nov 03, 2009 (11:09 AM) 
