Utagawa Kuniteru I · Rare Kōka-era kodomo-e triptych ·...

** Same design with similar condition is currently listed on Japanese Market for 200,000 YEN ** Artist: Utagawa Kuniteru I (初代 歌川国輝), active c. 1820–1860, also known as Sadashige (貞重) Title: Kodomo onkyoku osarai no zu (子供音曲さらいの図) – "Children's Music Recital" Subject: Children performing at a music recital (osarai) Date: Kōka era, c. 1844–47 Technique: Woodblock print (mokuhanga), nishiki-e (polychrome) Format: Ōban tate-e triptych (三枚続), three sheets, approx. [25 × 37 cm each] Signature: Kuniteru ga (国輝画) on each sheet; the right sheet signed Sadashige aratame Kuniteru ga (貞重改 国輝画), "Sadashige, now Kuniteru" Seals: Censor seal(s) and publisher's seal CONDITION Impression & Colours: A fair impression with colors fairly preserved. The prints presents well for their age. Paper: Clean paper. The prints are backed. There are some visible wrinkles on the sheets which existed before backing. There is some soiling, scuff and toning. Please check the images carefully before bidding! The Print: A Recital for Edo's Children An osarai was a recital where a music teacher's pupils performed in front of family, friends and other students to show what they had learned. In the merchant households of late Edo, lessons in shamisen, song and dance were a normal part of growing up, especially for girls, and recitals were important social events. The Museum of Applied Arts (MAK) in Vienna holds this triptych and describes it as children at a musical competition, with several women teachers playing shamisen. The MAK also notes a later version of the design from around 1850. In that version the title begins with "Yushima" instead of "Kodomo," the kimono patterns are often changed, and the lanterns carry characters. The present sheets have the earlier "Kodomo" title. Kuniteru I: Sadashige, Now Kuniteru Kuniteru I was a pupil of Utagawa Kunisada. While his teacher used the name Kunisada, he worked as Sadashige. In 1844 Kunisada took the name Toyokuni III, and Sadashige became Kuniteru. The signature on the right sheet records this change of name, which places the triptych early in his Kuniteru period. The National Diet Library notes that he made many kodomo-e (prints of children) and kyōkun-e (instructive prints), and this design belongs to that part of his work. His prints are held in the Museum of Fine Arts Boston, among other collections.

Estimate:£422.56

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