Artwork

The Lovers Okiku and Kozuke (from the series An Elegant Comparison of Charming Features)

The Lovers Okiku and Kozuke (from the series An Elegant Comparison of Charming Features) is a print by the Romanticist artist Kitagawa Utamaro II. It dates from 1804 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. The work titled “The Lovers Okashi and Kozuke” belongs to the series “An Elegant Comparison of Charming Features.

About this work

Overview

The work titled “The Lovers Okashi and Kozuke” belongs to the series “An Elegant Comparison of Charming Features.” Executed as a woodblock print around 1804, it is attributed to the artist known as Kitagawa Utamaro II. The piece is part of the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

Subject & Meaning

The image depicts a pair of lovers, identified by the names Okashi and Kozuke, presented in a stylised, intimate pose typical of early‑nineteenth‑century ukiyo‑e genre scenes. The composition emphasizes the delicate interaction between the figures, reflecting contemporary ideals of romantic elegance.

Technique & Style

Created using traditional multicolour woodblock printing, the print combines fine line work with subtle colour overlays. Utamaro II’s hand is evident in the graceful contours of the figures and the nuanced rendering of textiles, aligning the work with the refined aesthetic of the Edo period’s bijin-ga tradition.

History & Provenance

The print was produced circa 1804, during the later phase of the Edo period’s flourishing print market. It entered the Cleveland Museum of Art’s holdings through acquisition, where it remains on view as part of the museum’s Japanese art collection.