Work Title: 2 Pieces - Bijin-e (美女絵): Tsuru no Ue Maki Yomi Bijin-zu (鹤上读卷美人图) & Fujin Sō Juppin・Mitate Uta-garuta (妇人相十品・观歌磨き) Artist: Suzuki Harunobu (鈴木春信，1725-1770); Kitagawa Utamaro (喜多川歌麿，1753-1806) Technique: Woodblock Print Artist’s Signature: Present on the plate 1: Sheet Size 28.7 × 22 cm (11.30 × 8.66 in) 2: Sheet Size 39.5 × 26.3 cm (15.55 × 10.35 in) Mounting Paper Size: 47.5 × 33 cm (18.70 × 12.99 in) Paper Material: Washi (和紙) Publisher: Adamant Hanga-sha (アダマン版画社) 1. Tsuru no Ue Maki Yomi Bijin-zu (鹤上读卷美人图), also commonly referred to as Tsuru ni Nosete Bijin Tegami Yomi-zu (鹤载美人读信图), is a classic work by Suzuki Harunobu, a master of Edo-period Japanese ukiyo-e. It represents a quintessential combination of his signature Harunobu-style bijin-e (春信式美人画) and nishiki-e (錦絵，polychrome woodblock print), with the original piece created between 1765 and 1770 (Meiwa era 明和年間). The print depicts an Edo-period beauty wearing a deep red kimono patterned with plum blossoms, sitting upright on the back of a crane and focusing on reading a scroll letter. Flower branches in a vessel beside her complement the scene, blending the auspicious symbolism of the crane with the lyrical atmosphere of letter-reading. The work fully embodies Harunobu’s creative features: the delicate and soft "Harunobu-style beauty" aesthetic characterized by slender figures and gentle lines; the nishiki-e (錦絵) multi-color registration technique further renders the kimono patterns and crane feathers in soft yet richly detailed colors. 2. Fujin Sō Juppin・Mitate Uta-garuta (妇人相十品・观歌磨き) is a work by Kitagawa Utamaro, a great ukiyo-e master of the Edo period, and is part of his iconic Fujin Sō Juppin (妇人相十品) series, which features ten poses of Edo-period women. It stands as a representative example of Utamaro’s signature ōkubi-e (大首絵，bust portrait print). The original was created from 1792 to 1793 (the 4th to 5th year of the Kansei era 寛政 4-5 年). The print portrays an Edo-period woman intently admiring uta-garuta (歌牌，waka poetry cards), a favorite theme of Utamaro that captures the daily demeanor of urban women. Adopting a close-up perspective that focuses on the woman’s face and upper body, it magnifies the subtle details of her concentrated expression. Dressed in a turquoise kimono with fine patterns and a red-edged lining, she is a faithful reflection of the attire of Edo’s civilian women. The nishiki-e (錦絵) technique endows the work with soft and delicate color gradations, perfectly demonstrating Utamaro’s artistic style of "expressing emotion through spirit". These two woodblock print editions were reprinted and released in the 1960s by Japan’s Adamant Hanga-sha (アダマン版画社). The packaging is affixed with Japanese and English stickers containing explanatory notes about the prints. Due to age, the paper shows signs of oxidation, yellowing and minor creases, yet the overall condition remains good. - The picture is part of the description. The color of the item may be slightly different from the picture (due to camera and screen settings). - The successful bidder will be responsible for any customs duties and taxes (if applicable). - This item will be mailed by the postal service of Taiwan in the form of airmail with insurance attached.