MIGITA TOSHIHIDE · SATSUKI, THE FIFTH MONTH · MEIJI BIJIN-GA · TWELVE FORMS OF BEAUTY, 1901 - Japan - Meiji period (1868-1912)
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Meiji period Japanese woodblock print Satsuki, the Fifth Month, by Migita Toshihide, from the Bijin jūni sugata series, dated 1901; Ōban Tate-e measuring approx. 36 × 24 cm, ink and colour on paper, original/official with excellent condition and private collection provenance.
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Description from the seller
Artist: Migita Toshihide 右田年英 (1863–1925), pupil of Tsukioka Yoshitoshi
Series: Bijin jūni sugata 美人十二姿 (Twelve Portraits of Beauties)
Title: Satsuki 皐月 (The Fifth Month)
Format: Ōban tate-e, approx. 36 × 24 cm (sheet with margins)
Technique: Woodblock print (nishiki-e), ink and colour on paper
Date: 1901 (Meiji 34), date in the margin colophon
Publisher: Akiyama Buemon 秋山武右衛門 (Kokkeidō), publisher's seal in the lower left margin
Signature: 年英 (Toshihide), with the artist's seal Shisuitei
________________________________________________________
CONDITION
Excellent colors, good impression. The paper is clean, firm and subtle. Please check the images!
-------------------------------------------------------
About the print
Satsuki is the fifth month of the old lunar calendar, which corresponds roughly to June in today's calendar. The name is usually linked to sanae, the young rice seedlings planted out at this time of year. The month was also known for the early summer rains (samidare) and for the Boys' Festival (Tango no sekku) on its fifth day. It marks the turn from spring into summer.
Bijin jūni sugata is Toshihide's best-known series of beautiful women. Akiyama Buemon published it in 1901, with one sheet for each month of the year. Each sheet links a woman to the season of its month. The large, carefully printed ōban sheets belong to the last phase of traditional bijin-ga in late Meiji, and they still show the influence of Toshihide's teacher, Yoshitoshi.
Toshihide is best known for his prints of the Sino-Japanese and Russo-Japanese Wars and for his book frontispieces (kuchi-e). His prints of beautiful women are much less common, and this series is the main example of that side of his work.
Seller's Story
I've been collecting Japanese woodblock prints for quite a while now — everything from classic ukiyo-e to shin-hanga and sōsaku-hanga. What started as a personal passion eventually turned into something more, and these days I source prints from auctions, galleries, and private collections across Japan and Europe.
With growing worldwide interest in Japanese woodblock prints, gallery prices have been climbing steadily. My goal is simple: offer high-quality, authentic prints at reasonable prices. I'm picky about what I sell — I look for pieces that have been stored properly, kept flat, and are free from serious foxing, stains, or damage.
I'm based in Germany, which means EU buyers won't deal with any import duties or taxes. For US buyers, original artworks under HS code 9702 are duty-free as well. And wherever you are, I pack everything carefully with multiple layers of protection so your print arrives safely.
If you have questions about a piece, just reach out. You will get access to contact me once you've won an item from my lots.
Artist: Migita Toshihide 右田年英 (1863–1925), pupil of Tsukioka Yoshitoshi
Series: Bijin jūni sugata 美人十二姿 (Twelve Portraits of Beauties)
Title: Satsuki 皐月 (The Fifth Month)
Format: Ōban tate-e, approx. 36 × 24 cm (sheet with margins)
Technique: Woodblock print (nishiki-e), ink and colour on paper
Date: 1901 (Meiji 34), date in the margin colophon
Publisher: Akiyama Buemon 秋山武右衛門 (Kokkeidō), publisher's seal in the lower left margin
Signature: 年英 (Toshihide), with the artist's seal Shisuitei
________________________________________________________
CONDITION
Excellent colors, good impression. The paper is clean, firm and subtle. Please check the images!
-------------------------------------------------------
About the print
Satsuki is the fifth month of the old lunar calendar, which corresponds roughly to June in today's calendar. The name is usually linked to sanae, the young rice seedlings planted out at this time of year. The month was also known for the early summer rains (samidare) and for the Boys' Festival (Tango no sekku) on its fifth day. It marks the turn from spring into summer.
Bijin jūni sugata is Toshihide's best-known series of beautiful women. Akiyama Buemon published it in 1901, with one sheet for each month of the year. Each sheet links a woman to the season of its month. The large, carefully printed ōban sheets belong to the last phase of traditional bijin-ga in late Meiji, and they still show the influence of Toshihide's teacher, Yoshitoshi.
Toshihide is best known for his prints of the Sino-Japanese and Russo-Japanese Wars and for his book frontispieces (kuchi-e). His prints of beautiful women are much less common, and this series is the main example of that side of his work.
Seller's Story
I've been collecting Japanese woodblock prints for quite a while now — everything from classic ukiyo-e to shin-hanga and sōsaku-hanga. What started as a personal passion eventually turned into something more, and these days I source prints from auctions, galleries, and private collections across Japan and Europe.
With growing worldwide interest in Japanese woodblock prints, gallery prices have been climbing steadily. My goal is simple: offer high-quality, authentic prints at reasonable prices. I'm picky about what I sell — I look for pieces that have been stored properly, kept flat, and are free from serious foxing, stains, or damage.
I'm based in Germany, which means EU buyers won't deal with any import duties or taxes. For US buyers, original artworks under HS code 9702 are duty-free as well. And wherever you are, I pack everything carefully with multiple layers of protection so your print arrives safely.
If you have questions about a piece, just reach out. You will get access to contact me once you've won an item from my lots.
Details
Dynastic Style/Period
Meiji period (1868-1912)
Number of objects
1
Country of Origin
Japan
Attribution
Original
Title of artwork
MIGITA TOSHIHIDE · SATSUKI, THE FIFTH MONTH · MEIJI BIJIN-GA · TWELVE FORMS OF BEAUTY, 1901
Condition
Excellent condition
Provenance
Private collection
Authenticity
Original/official
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