Komurasaki of the Tama-ya House
Woodblock Print
ca. 1785-1790 (made)
ca. 1785-1790 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This work is a good example of a benigirai-e or 'red-hating picture', which uses no red colourant. It is a particular type of benigirai-e that employs a predominantly purple colour and is known as a murasaki-e (or 'purple picture'). Benigirai-e were characterised by a more muted palette than nishiki-e (brocade prints). They were popular in the late Tenmei era (1781-9).
Unusual among works showing a parading courtesan is the presence of a young man, apparently the courtesan's guest. This print follows the style of the artist's master, Eishi, so closely that if it were not for the signature, one might easily mistake it for the master's work. Nothing is known about Gokyô except that he signed all his works 'disciple of Eishi'.
Unusual among works showing a parading courtesan is the presence of a young man, apparently the courtesan's guest. This print follows the style of the artist's master, Eishi, so closely that if it were not for the signature, one might easily mistake it for the master's work. Nothing is known about Gokyô except that he signed all his works 'disciple of Eishi'.
Object details
| Category | |
| Object type | |
| Title | Komurasaki of the Tama-ya House (assigned by artist) |
| Materials and techniques | Colour print from wood blocks |
| Brief description | Pap, Japan, prints |
| Physical description | Murasaki-e (purple picture); Bijin-ga (pictures of beautiful women); one sheet of a triptych |
| Dimensions |
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| Styles | |
| Marks and inscriptions | 'Eishi Monjin Gokyô ga' (Signature.)
|
| Object history | Purchased from Wright and Stanford, accessioned in 1898. This acquisition information reflects that found in the Asia Department registers, as part of a 2022 provenance research project. |
| Subject depicted | |
| Summary | This work is a good example of a benigirai-e or 'red-hating picture', which uses no red colourant. It is a particular type of benigirai-e that employs a predominantly purple colour and is known as a murasaki-e (or 'purple picture'). Benigirai-e were characterised by a more muted palette than nishiki-e (brocade prints). They were popular in the late Tenmei era (1781-9). Unusual among works showing a parading courtesan is the presence of a young man, apparently the courtesan's guest. This print follows the style of the artist's master, Eishi, so closely that if it were not for the signature, one might easily mistake it for the master's work. Nothing is known about Gokyô except that he signed all his works 'disciple of Eishi'. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | E.1418-1898 |
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| Record created | November 23, 2006 |
| Record URL |
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