Artwork

『春雨集』摺物帖歌川国直画元禄美人|Spring Rain Collection (Harusame shū), vol. 1: Genroku-style Courtesan

『春雨集』摺物帖歌川国直画元禄美人|Spring Rain Collection (Harusame shū), vol. 1: Genroku-style Courtesan is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Utagawa Kuninao. It dates from 1814 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Spring Rain Collection (Harusame shū), vol.

About this work

Overview

Spring Rain Collection (Harusame shū), vol. 1: Genroku-style Courtesan is a privately published woodblock print (surimono) created around 1814 by Utagawa Kuninao. The work is now part of The Metropolitan Museum of Art's collection.

Subject & Meaning

The print depicts a courtesan from the Genroku era, characterized by her traditional attire: a vibrant, floral-patterned kimono with red accents, red slippers, black socks, and neatly styled hair. She holds a fan and a small bag, set against a plain white background.

Technique & Style

Executed as a surimono, a type of Japanese woodblock print typically produced for private, discerning audiences, this work emphasizes meticulous detail and small scale, suited for connoisseurs of the art form.

History & Provenance

Created circa 1814 by Utagawa Kuninao, the print's history prior to its acquisition by The Metropolitan Museum of Art is not detailed here.

Context

Part of a larger collection titled Spring Rain Collection, this volume reflects the continued influence of 17th-century Genroku aesthetics in early 19th-century art, blending nostalgia with contemporary technique.

Legacy

As part of The Metropolitan Museum of Art's holdings, the print contributes to the global appreciation of surimono and Utagawa Kuninao's oeuvre, offering insight into Japan's private print collecting culture of the time.