Edo woodblock print reproduction – a masterpiece that faithfully reproduces even the deterioration!

Source: Tokyo National Museum

A limited edition of 10 copies will be produced and sold.

Kitagawa Utamaro’s “Sagi Musume” (Herring Girl) is an ukiyo-e print based on the Kabuki dance “Sagi Musume,” which was extremely popular in the mid-Edo period. This fantastical tale of a white heron spirit transforming into a beautiful young woman, who vanishes into the snow while expressing her pain and regret over unrequited love, brought tears to the eyes of audiences.

The exact year Utamaro painted “Sagi Musume” is unclear. It is believed to date to the Tenmei period (late 1780s to early 1790s) and was published by Tsutaya Juzaburo. This is a representative work from the period when Utamaro was highly acclaimed for his actor prints, before turning to bijin-ga (portraits of beautiful women).

This ukiyo-e print depicts a young woman dressed in a pure white wedding kimono, standing in the pouring snow. Wearing a crown of white herons, her sleeves spread wide, and her gaze cast down ephemerally, the figure skillfully captures the mysterious atmosphere and sadness of the dance. Utamaro idealized the actor’s facial features while expressing the tension and beauty of the stage with soft contours and pale colors. This idealized feminine beauty foreshadowed the direction of later bijin-ga (portraits of beautiful women).

The creation of this work required a sophisticated division of labor. First and foremost, the carver’s meticulous work was essential. To transfer Utamaro’s delicate brushstrokes onto the woodblock, he skillfully adjusted the angle and pressure of his sword to carve varying line strengths and thicknesses. The carver faithfully reproduced Utamaro’s sketch, from the soft folds of the white wedding robe to the intricate lines of the snow-covered background, and meticulous attention to the parting of the hair, down to every single strand of hair. In particular, the patterns on the robes and the egret’s feathers are given a subtle accent in the lines, creating a sense of three-dimensionality.

Next, the printer’s skill is crucial. Gofun (white pigment) was used to express the white, and mica printing (kirazuri) was used to create a shimmering effect when light catches it. The snowy background is printed using a gradation printing technique, creating depth and emotion. To achieve these effects, the printer layered the prints to adjust the subtle shades. Because the washi paper expands and contracts with moisture and pigments, the printer used alignment marks called “kento” to ensure each print is precisely layered.

This print is also valuable as an actor portrait. It is said to be modeled after the performance of popular onnagata (female impersonators) of the time, such as Iwai Hanshiro V. Depending on the collection, the actor’s name or role may be inscribed in the corner of the painting. This is evidence that ukiyo-e was not simply a work of art, but also functioned as a medium to promote plays and increase the popularity of actors.

Currently, well-known institutions that hold Utamaro’s “Sagi Musume” include the British Museum, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the National Theatre Traditional Performing Arts Information Center. The large-format nishiki-e print at the British Museum is in particularly good condition, revealing the effect of the kirasuri (sparkle-printed print) on the white wedding kimono. The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s copy, which clearly lists the actors’ names, is also highly valuable as a research resource for kabuki history.

[Summary]

Kitagawa Utamaro’s “Sagi Musume” is a masterpiece that combines the artist’s exceptional aesthetic sense, the carver’s meticulous technique, and the printer’s intricate coloring techniques. The image of the white-robed girl standing in the snow, combining the sadness of love with a mysterious beauty, evoked deep sympathy among the people of Edo. Even today, its refined and elegant beauty captivates many, making it an essential piece when discussing the appeal of ukiyo-e.

Ukiyo-e Cafe Tsutaju’s reproduction woodblock print is a faithful reproduction of a work from the Tokyo National Museum’s collection. Compared to the work in the Boston Museum of Fine Arts, this piece had deterioration in the mica print on the left side and the title. By faithfully reproducing these missing parts, this is an exceptional piece that allows you to enjoy a classical atmosphere despite being a brand new woodblock print. While most reproduction woodblock prints are sold by the printer after correcting the deteriorated parts, this work has been reproduced with the deterioration included.

Please take a look and enjoy the craftsmanship of the carvers and printers from Taito Ward. Only 10 reproductions will be made and sold.