Description
A geisha holds a practice book for a narrative musical (joruri) in her left hand and a plectrum (bachi) for playing the shamisen in her right hand. She is on her way to her music lessons. This joruri was first performed at the Nakamura theater in 1744. The crest (mon) on the geisha’s boldly patterned kimono depicts the character some, which was perhaps part of her name.
Provenance
William Henry Ketcham, New York; sold to Clarence Buckingham (1854–1913), Chicago, Mar. 4, 1895; by descent to his sister, Kate Sturges Buckingham (1858–1937), Chicago, 1913; given to the Art Institute of Chicago, 1925.
Accession Number
21458
Medium
Hand-colored woodblock print; urushi-e, vertical oban diptych
Dimensions
65.4 × 24.7 cm (25 3/4 × 9 3/4 in.)
Classification
woodblock print
Credit Line
Clarence Buckingham Collection