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two women in kimono robes are looking at a cat on the floor
Jeschke Jádi Auctions Berlin

Estimate €200 - €300
Sale commission
Description
Japan Eishi, Hosoda Genji in Exile at Suma, the left-hand panel of an oban triptych from the series ‘Furyu yatsushi Genji’. Japan, Edo period (1603–1868), probably the Kansei period (1789–1801). 37.6 x 24.4 cm (38 x 25.7 cm). Woodblock print, ink (and traces of organic pigments) on washi paper with a Kiwame censorship seal. Cf. MET, JP1785. – The sheet depicts ‘Genji in Exile at Suma’, the left-hand panel of an Oban triptych from the series ‘Furyu yatsushi Genji’ (‘Genji in a contemporary, fashionable guise’). Two women and a girl are playing with a kitten on a coastal veranda overlooking pine trees and sailing boats near Suma; the fishing-net pattern on the kimono of the central figure alludes to Genji’s literary exile at this location as described in the *Genji monogatari* and transposes the classical episode into the contemporary ladies’ fashion of the Edo upper classes. The motif of ‘yatsushi’ – the fashionable reinterpretation of classical subjects for the present day – was a popular characteristic of late feudal Bijin-ga series. The artist Chobunsai Eishi (1756–1829, born Hosoda Tokitomi) came from a high-ranking samurai family and initially worked as an official court painter in the service of the shogunate before giving up his privileged position in 1789 to devote himself entirely to the popular art form of ukiyo-e. His bijin-ga are characterised by particularly slender, aristocratically aloof female figures, which are stylistically reminiscent of Torii Kiyonaga, yet at the same time display a cooler, more elegant reserve – a reflection of his courtly origins that clearly distinguishes him from contemporary rivals such as Utamaro. – Some slight crease marks on the paper in places. – Overall still in good condition. Genji in Exile at Suma, left sheet of an oban triptych from the series ‘Furyu yatsushi Genji’. Japan, Edo period (1603–1868), probably the Kansei era (1789–1801). 37.6 x 24.4 cm (38 x 25.7 cm). Woodblock print, ink (with traces of organic pigments) on washi paper, with kiwame censor’s seal. Cf. MET, JP1785. – The sheet depicts ‘Genji in Exile at Suma’, the left-hand sheet of an oban triptych from the series ‘Furyu yatsushi Genji’ (‘Genji in a Fashionable Modern Guise’). Two women and a girl are playing with a kitten on a seaside veranda overlooking pine trees and sailing boats at Suma. The fishnet pattern on the central figure’s kimono alludes to Genji’s literary exile at this very location in the *Genji monogatari*, translating the classical episode into the contemporary fashions of Edo high society. The motif of ‘yatsushi’ – the fashionable transposition of classical themes into the present day – was a popular stylistic device in late-feudal bijin-ga series. The artist Chobunsai Eishi (1756–1829, born Hosoda Tokitomi) came from a high-ranking samurai family and initially served as an official court painter to the shogunate before relinquishing his privileged position in 1789 to devote himself entirely to the townsman’s art of ukiyo-e. His bijin-ga are characterised by particularly slender, aristocratically reserved female figures that draw stylistically on Torii Kiyonaga, yet display a cooler, more refined restraint – an expression of his courtly background that clearly sets him apart from contemporaries such as Utamaro. - Slight creasing to the paper in places. - Overall still in good condition.
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About the sale Valuable books, prints, historical photographs
Auction location
Auction time 10/24/2026 at 10:00 AM
Pictures credits: Contact the Auction House
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