A Courtesan and her Girl Attendant on New Year's Day
Artist/Culture
Momokawa Choki
Dateabout 1798
MediumWoodblock print, ink and color on paper; nishiki-e; hashira-e
Dimensions61.2 x 11.2 cm (24 1/8 x 4 7/16 in.)
ClassificationsPrints
Credit LineJohn Chandler Bancroft Collection
Object number1901.218
DescriptionA high-class courtesan setting forth for the Yoshiwara parade, preceed by a Shinzo (novice) who carries a pair of geta (wooden clogs) forthe tayu to wear when she reached the muddy street; dragon obi; pine on kamuro's obi; holding geta; Choki worked as book illustrator in 1770s an 1780s using the name Shiko. We know that Choki (pupil of Toriyama Seknen) did courtesans of the 90s but prints from 1790s and 1800s signed Shiko - question of whether he reverted unsolved. TNM says same artist. Previously called "Setting Forth"Label TextMomokawa Choki (Late 18th-early 19th century) A Courtesan and her Girl Attendant on New Year's Day About 1798 Artist's signature: Shiko hitsu (brushed by Shiko) Publisher: Yamaguchiya Chusuke (mark not included in this impression) Woodblock print, ink and color on paper; nishiki-e; hashira-e John Chandler Bancroft Collection, 1901.218 Although difficult to prove with certainty, Momokawa Choki is believed by scholars to have worked in two distinct styles and under two different artist-names (go): as Choki in the style of Torii Kiyonaga (1752-1815) and as Shiko in the style of Kitagawa Utamaro (1753-1806). This pillar print, in the style of Utamaro, demonstrates Choki's ability to depict figures with psychological insight and beautiful colors. It captures the moment of excitement when a high-rankinProvenanceJohn Chandler Bancroft, Boston, MA
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