309 - Utagawa Kunisada/Toyokuni III (1786–1864)

Utagawa Kunisada/Toyokuni III (1786–1864) New Year’s Morning Flower Arrangement Lesson (triptych) A very lovely Genji-e-style interior scene depicting a refined gathering dedicated to the art of flower arrangement (ikebana) in celebration of the New Year. An elegant young prince and several ladies dressed in their finest attire are arranging bouquets of flowering plum branches, a symbol of renewal. In the background, the branches in the garden stand out against the morning sky. Woodblock print Signed: Ichiyôsai Toyokuni ga (on the left and right prints), Kôchôrô Toyokuni ga (on the center print) Period: Edo (1847/52 (Koka 4–Kaei 5)) Seals of the censors Kinugasa and Yoshimura Publisher: Ebisuya Shoshichi (Kinshodo) Format: Oban tate-e 3 sheets bound together. Fresh colors. Small binding holes in the right margin. Left margin slightly trimmed. Slight soiling.