KITAGAWA UTAMARO (1754–1806)

The Lovers Umegawa and Chubei in the Night Rain

Details

KITAGAWA UTAMARO (1754–1806)
The Lovers Umegawa and Chubei in the Night Rain
Woodblock print, signed Utamaro hitsu and published by Muratoya Jirobei (Eiyudo), circa 1798-90
Hashira-e: 24 5/8 x 5 ¾ in. (62.5 x 14.7 cm.)

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Lot Essay

The courtesan Umegawa and Chubei, employee of a money courier, eloping on a rainy night for his native village of Ninokuchi in Yamato province, where Chubei will be found out for stealing a packet of cash he was to deliver and the lovers will meet their end, an illustration of the scene in puppet and kabuki plays based on Meido no hikyaku (Hell's courier, 1711) by Chikamatsu Monzaemon (1653-1725).

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