歌川国貞 （三代歌川豊国）画　「六玉顔」 山吹を持つ光氏|Mitsuuji with Mountain Roses (Yamabuki), from the series “Six Jewel Faces” (Mu tama-gao)

Art Historical Context

This delightful uncut fan print by Utagawa Kunis (also known as Kunisada I or 三代歌川豊国), from the mid-to-late1830s, capturesMitsuuji with Mountain Roses (Yamabuki)* from his series *Six Jewel Faces* (*Mu-gao*). Produced during Edo period (16151868), it showcases Kunisada's mastery of ukiyo-e, the "pictures of the floating world" genre that celebrated beauty, theater, and everyday elegance. The artist, one of the most prolific woodblock print designers of his time, was renowned for his vibrant depictions of bijin-ga—beautiful women—with jewel-like facial features symbolizing idealized allure. Printed in ink and color on paper, this 9 × 11 3/4 in. sheet retains its original uncut fan shape, a practical form for handheld cooling during humid summers. Fans were intimate art objects, often customized and carried by all classes, making ukiyo-e accessible beyond elites. Kunisada's technique employs bold outlines, rich gradations of yellow for the yamabuki flowers (a beloved spring motif evoking classical poetry), and intricate patterns on the kimono, highlighting the era's fashion and femininity. Part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Asian Art collection (Purchase, Alan and Barbara Medaugh Gift, 2019), this print offers a window into Edo Japan's thriving print culture, where art blended entertainment, commerce, and subtle social commentary. A gem for any visitor!

About the Artist

Utagawa Kunisada · 1786–1864

**Utagawa Kunisada (1786–1865)** Born in 1786 in the Honjo district of Edo (modern Tokyo), Utagawa Kunisada hailed from a family with a hereditary ferry-boat service that provided financial stability, allowing him to pursue art from a young age. His father, an amateur poet of note, died shortly after his birth, leaving young Sumida Shōgorō (Kunisada's childhood name) to nurture his evident talent...