Suzuki HARUNOBU (1724-1770)

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An hosoban mizue, “water print” showing the poet Ariwara no Narihira (825-880) in a boat with his companions gazing at a pair of miyakodori birds inspiring his poem (shown in the poem-slip top right) asking the birds if his lover is safe. From a set Mukashi otoku, “Once There Was a Man,” illustrating episodes from the Ise monogatari. Mizue prints were produced in almost translucent washes without a black outline and had a vogue around 1762-1764 bridging the gap between two and three colour printing and full polychrome printing pioneered by Harunobu. This is only one of two designs surviving from the set. For another impression see The Harunobu Decade, David Waterhouse, Hotei publishing, 2013, no. 24, p. 54 (where the birds are not visible, but Waterhouse surmises [correctly] that they are there). Unidentified publisher’s seal c 1762-64. Rare.

Very good impression. Possibly the waves and other small areas were printed using the dayflower which was notorious for rapidly fading to a puce colour when exposed to light and moisture. In fact, there are very few mizue prints extant where the fugitive pigment is still visible. Otherwise very good colour and condition. Signed Harunobu ga.
Status: Available

Price:  £2,800