What movement is Takigawa of Ōgiya, from the series Beauties as the Seven Komachi?

Takigawa of Ōgiya, from the series Beauties as the Seven Komachi is associated with Romanticism.

Artwork

Takigawa of Ōgiya, from the series Beauties as the Seven Komachi

Takigawa of Ōgiya, from the series Beauties as the Seven Komachi is a print by the Romanticist artist Utagawa Toyokuni I. It dates from 1795 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. This print is part of a series of seven depicting entertainers inspired by the legend of Ono no Komachi, a 9th-century poet.

About this work

Overview

This print is part of a series of seven depicting entertainers inspired by the legend of Ono no Komachi, a 9th-century poet.

Subject & Meaning

The print shows Takigawa, an entertainer from Ōgiya, gazing at a scroll featuring Komachi in a snowy scene, referencing a scene from the play The Gravestone.

Technique & Style

The artist employed bright colors and sharp lines to create a detailed image, with the subject wearing a red kimono and surrounded by a hanging scroll.

Context

The series draws on seven plays based on legends from Komachi's life, using these narratives as inspiration for the depiction of various entertainers.