Work Title: Fujin Sōgaku Juttai (婦人相学拾躰) - Ukiyo-e Artist: Kitagawa Utamaro (喜多川歌麿，1753-1806) Technique: Woodblock Print Signature: Artist's signature on the block Paper Size: 40.5 × 27.7 cm (15.94 × 10.90 in) Sheet Size: 39 × 26 cm (15.4 × 10.2 in) Paper Material: Washi (和紙) Carver (Hori-shi): Kikuta Kōjirō (菊田幸次郎) Printer (Surishi): Komatsubara Hideojirō (小松原秀次郎) Supervisor (Kanshū): Takamizawa Tadao (高見澤忠雄) This beautiful ukiyo-e woodblock print was created by Kitagawa Utamaro, a master of Japan’s Edo-period ukiyo-e, between 1792 and 1793 (Kansei 4–5, late 18th century). It belongs to the series Fujin Sōgaku Juttai (婦人相学拾躰，Ten Types of Female Physiognomy) and was reissued in 1975 (Shōwa 50). The composition depicts a partially nude woman combing her long hair, rendered with elegant posture and lifelike detail. Her kimono features intricate patterns, and her skin is rendered in the characteristic "nikudō" (肉色，flesh tone) of ukiyo-e, while the delicate, fluid lines of her hair showcase Utamaro’s mastery of female form and texture. The text "Fujin Sōgaku Juttai" (婦人相学拾躰) in the upper left corner identifies the series’ theme—rooted in sōgaku (相学，physiognomy, a folk practice of judging character and fortune by appearance), it categorizes women into distinct archetypes. Accompanying kan-sōka (觀相歌，physiognomy songs) popularize these ideas through verse. The work falls into Utamaro’s pioneering ōkubi-e (大首絵，bust portraits focusing on the upper body or face) genre, reflecting the Edo period’s fascination with both female beauty and folk culture. The reverse of the paper features production and publication details. Due to its age, the paper shows signs of oxidation-induced yellowing and wrinkling, but remains in good condition. Artist Note Kitagawa Utamaro is the defining figure of bijin-ga (美人画，"beautiful woman prints") in Japan’s Edo period.One of the "Three Great Ukiyo-e Masters", he stands alongside Katsushika Hokusai and Utagawa Hiroshige. He pioneered ōkubi-e (bust portraits with facial close-ups), with masterpieces including Fujin Sōgaku Juttai and The Three Great Beauties of the Kansei Era. A cornerstone of European "Japonisme" (the 19th-century fascination with Japanese art), he directly inspired Impressionist masters like Van Gogh and Monet. His provocative works led to punishment by the shogunate; he died in Edo in 1806 and is buried at Sensō-ji Temple in Asakusa (now Asakusa Kikuyabashi, Taitō Ward, Tokyo, Japan). - 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.