329 - Utagawa School

Utagawa School O-Kumi and Sojiro playing the koto and shamisen (double-page spread from an illustrated book). An intimate and charming interior scene depicting the young O-Kumi playing the koto and Sojiro playing the shamisen, performing a musical duet in front of a folding screen adorned with branches of flowering plum trees. Okumi and Sojiro form one of those iconic pairs of star-crossed lovers from the Edo-period dramatic repertoire, torn between social obligations and romantic passion. The rapport between the koto and shamisen players symbolizes their spiritual union in the face of adversity. Adapted for kabuki and puppet theater, their story enjoyed immense popular success, becoming the central theme of numerous illustrated novels by artists of the Utagawa school. Woodblock print Signed: unsigned (book pages) Period: Edo (circa 1850–1860) Dimensions: 14.3 x 19.5 cm. Beautiful, well-preserved colors; slight patina on the paper. Two book pages bound together.