Utamaro Kitagawa Collection

Messenger with a Letter, from the series "Elegant Five-needled Pine, c. 1797-98 (colour woodblock print;oban)
5860842 Messenger with a Letter, from the series " Elegant Five-needled Pine, c.1797-98 (colour woodblock print; oban) by Utamaro

Southern Teahouse, Japan, n. d. Creator: Kitagawa Utamaro
Southern Teahouse, Japan, n.d

Teahouse girl and servant: Snow... late 18th century. Creator: Kitagawa Utamaro
Teahouse girl and servant: Snow from the series Comparison of Snow, Moon and Flower Beauty, late 18th century

Yamauba breast feeding Kintaro
2909899 Yamauba breast feeding Kintaro; (add.info.: Yamauba breast feeding Kintaro. 1804); Universal History Archive/UIG

A man reclining
2909821 A man reclining; (add.info.: Print shows a man reclining. 1795); Universal History Archive/UIG

The Courtesan Hanamurasaki of Tamaya from the series Supreme Beauties of the Present Day, 1794

Lovers under a Futon, c1800. Creator: Kitagawa Utamaro
Lovers under a Futon, c1800

Woman Holding a Cup on a Tray (image 2 of 2), between circa 1794 and circa 1795. Creator: Kitagawa Utamaro
Woman Holding a Cup on a Tray (image 2 of 2), between circa 1794 and circa 1795

Customer Entertained in the Yoshiwara, 1804. Creator: Kitagawa Utamaro
Customer Entertained in the Yoshiwara, 1804. From Illustrated Book of Annual Celebrations in the Green Houses

Niwaka Performance (image 2 of 2), c1795. Creator: Kitagawa Utamaro
Niwaka Performance (image 2 of 2), c1795

Niwaka Performance (image 1 of 2), c1795. Creator: Kitagawa Utamaro
Niwaka Performance (image 1 of 2), c1795

Preparing Raw Fish, 18th century. Creator: Kitagawa Utamaro
Preparing Raw Fish, 18th century

The Calligraphy Lesson, 18th century. Creator: Kitagawa Utamaro
The Calligraphy Lesson, 18th century

Women Stretching Silk (image 3 of 3), between circa 1797 and circa 1798. Creator: Kitagawa Utamaro
Women Stretching Silk (image 3 of 3), between circa 1797 and circa 1798

Women Stretching Silk (image 2 of 3), between circa 1797 and circa 1798. Creator: Kitagawa Utamaro
Women Stretching Silk (image 2 of 3), between circa 1797 and circa 1798

The Courtesan Shinahara of Tsuruya with the Kamuro Shinobu, c1800. Creator: Kitagawa Utamaro
The Courtesan Shinahara of Tsuruya with the Kamuro Shinobu, c1800

Courtesan Shinohara from the House of Tsuruya, c1804. Creator: Kitagawa Utamaro
Courtesan Shinohara from the House of Tsuruya, c1804

Woman Nursing a Baby, 18th century. Creator: Kitagawa Utamaro
Woman Nursing a Baby, 18th century

Bon Festival Lanterns and Plant Seller, from the illustrated book "Picture Book... New Year, 1801
Bon Festival Lanterns and Plant Seller, from the illustrated book "Picture Book: Flowers of the Four Seasons (Ehon shiki no hana), " vol. 2, Japan, New Year, 1801

New Year Manzai Performance at a Feudal Lord's Mansion, from the illustrated book "Picture... 1801
New Year Manzai Performance at a Feudal Lord's Mansion, from the illustrated book "Picture Book: Flowers of the Four Seasons (Ehon shiki no hana), " vol. 1, Japan, New Year, 1801

The Courtesan Kisegawa of the Matsubaya, from an untitled series of courtesans of the... c. 1797
The Courtesan Kisegawa of the Matsubaya, from an untitled series of courtesans of the Matsubaya as five musicians, Japan, c. 1797

Wakaume of the Tamaya in Edo-cho itchome, and her child attendants Mumeno and Iroka... c. 1793/94
Wakaume of the Tamaya in Edo-cho itchome, and her child attendants Mumeno and Iroka (Edo-cho itchome, Tamaya uchi Wakaume Mumeno Iroka), Japan, c. 1793/94

Hour of the Sheep [2 pm] (hitsuji no koku), from the series “Sundial of Young Women"... c. 1794/95
Hour of the Sheep [2 pm] (hitsuji no koku), from the series "Sundial of Young Women" ("Musume hi-dokei"), Japan, c. 1794/95

Yosooi of the Matsubaya, from the series Selections from Six Houses in Yoshiwara... c. 1801/02
Yosooi of the Matsubaya, from the series Selections from Six Houses in Yoshiwara (Seiro rokkasen) (Matsubaya Yosooi), Japan, c. 1801/02

Reflective Love, from the series "Anthology of Poems: The Love Section (Kasen koi no... c1793/94)
Reflective Love, from the series "Anthology of Poems: The Love Section (Kasen koi no bu) (Mono-omou koi)", Japan, c. 1793/94

Kisegawa of the Matsubaya, from the series "Comparing the Charms of Five Beauties... c. 1795/96
Kisegawa of the Matsubaya, from the series "Comparing the Charms of Five Beauties (Gonin bijin aikyo kurabe)", Japan, c. 1795/96

Woman Reading a Letter, from the series Ten Classes of Women's Physiognomy (Fujo... c. 1792/93)
Woman Reading a Letter, from the series Ten Classes of Women's Physiognomy (Fujo ninso juppon) (Fumi yomu onna), Japan, c. 1792/93

Edo Geisha, from the series "A Guide to Women's Contemporary Styles...", Japan, c. 1801/02
Edo Geisha, from the series "A Guide to Women's Contemporary Styles (Tosei onna fuzoku tsu)", Japan, c. 1801/02

The Style of a Feudal Lord's Household (Yashiki-fu), from the series Guide...c. 1800/01. Creator: Kitagawa Utamaro
The Style of a Feudal Lord's Household (Yashiki-fu), from the series Guide to Contemporary Styles (Tosei fuzoku tsu), Japan, c. 1800/01

Ohatsu and Tokubei, from the series "Fashionable Patterns in Utamaro Style (Ryuko...c1798/99)
Ohatsu and Tokubei, from the series "Fashionable Patterns in Utamaro Style (Ryuko moyo Utamaro-gata)", Japan, c. 1798/99

Komurasaki and Gonpachi, from the series "Fashonable Patterns in Utamaro Style (Ryuko... c1798/99)
Komurasaki and Gonpachi, from the series "Fashonable Patterns in Utamaro Style (Ryuko moyo Utamaro-gata)", Japan, c. 1798/99

Sankatsu and Hanshichi, from the series "Fashionable Patterns in Utamaro Style (Ryuko... c.1798/99)
Sankatsu and Hanshichi, from the series "Fashionable Patterns in Utamaro Style (Ryuko moyo Utamaro-gata)", Japan, c. 1798/99

Ohan and Choemon, from the series "Fashonable Patterns in Utamaro Style... Japan, c. 1798/99
Ohan and Choemon, from the series "Fashonable Patterns in Utamaro Style (Ryuko moyo Utamaro-gata)", Japan, c. 1798/99

The Sixth Month (Rokugatsu), from an untitled series of genre scenes in the twelve... c. 1792/93
The Sixth Month (Rokugatsu), from an untitled series of genre scenes in the twelve months, with kyoka poems, Japan, c. 1792/93

Hanaogi of the Ogiya, from the series "Renowned Beauties Likened to the Six Immortal... c. 1795/96
Hanaogi of the Ogiya, from the series "Renowned Beauties Likened to the Six Immortal Poets (Komei bijin rokkasen)", Japan, c. 1795/96

Woman Exhaling Smoke from a Pipe, from the series "Ten Classes of Women's... Japan, c. 1792/93
Woman Exhaling Smoke from a Pipe, from the series "Ten Classes of Women's Physiognomy (Fujo ninso juppon)", Japan, c. 1792/93

Tying Thread, from the series “Women's Handicrafts: Models of Dexterity" ("Fujin tewaza)
Tying Thread, from the series "Women's Handicrafts: Models of Dexterity" ("Fujin tewaza ayatsuri kagami"), Japan, c. 1797/98

The Poet Fun'ya no Yasuhide, from the series "Modern Children as the Six Immortal... c. 1804/05
The Poet Fun'ya no Yasuhide, from the series "Modern Children as the Six Immortal Poets (Tosei kodomo rokkasen)", Japan, c. 1804/05

Takigawa of the Ogiya (Ogiya uchi Takigawa, Onami, Menami, Kisagawa, Hanamichi...Japan, 1793)
Takigawa of the Ogiya (Ogiya uchi Takigawa, Onami, Menami, Kisagawa, Hanamichi, Himekawa, Kumegawa), Japan, 1793

The Poet Otomo no Kuronushi, from the series "Modern Children as the Six Immortal... c. 1804/05
The Poet Otomo no Kuronushi, from the series "Modern Children as the Six Immortal Poets (Tosei kodomo rokkasen)", Japan, c. 1804/05

The Poet Sojo Henjo, from the series "Modern Children as the Six Immortal Poets... c. 1804/05
The Poet Sojo Henjo, from the series "Modern Children as the Six Immortal Poets (Tosei kodomo rokkasen)", Japan, c. 1804/05

The Courtesan Yoso-oi of the Pine Needle House in the Yoshiwara and Her Attendant...About 1802
The Courtesan Yoso-oi of the Pine Needle House in the Yoshiwara and Her Attendant (Matsubaya Yoso-oi), Japan, About 1802

The Habit of Criticizing Others (Ta o soshiru kuse), from the series "Seven Bad Habits...c. 1797
The Habit of Criticizing Others (Ta o soshiru kuse), from the series "Seven Bad Habits (Nakute nana kuse)", Japan, c. 1797

High-Ranked Courtesan, from the series Five Shades of Ink in the Northern Quarter... c. 1794/95
High-Ranked Courtesan, from the series Five Shades of Ink in the Northern Quarter (Hokkoku goshiki-zumi) (Oiran), Japan, c. 1794/95

Preparing Food for a Nightingale, from the illustrated kyoka anthology "Men's Stamping... 1798
Preparing Food for a Nightingale, from the illustrated kyoka anthology "Men's Stamping Dance (Otoko toka)", Japan, 1798

Hanaogi of the Ogiya, from the series "Renowned Beauties Likened to the Six Immortal... c. 1795/96
Hanaogi of the Ogiya, from the series "Renowned Beauties Likened to the Six Immortal Poets (Komei bijin rokkasen)", Japan, c. 1795/96

The Asahiya Widow, from the series “Renowned Beauties Likened to the Six Immortal... c. 1795/96
The Asahiya Widow, from the series "Renowned Beauties Likened to the Six Immortal Poets" ("Komei bijin rokkasen"), Japan, c. 1795/96

Tatsumi Roko, from the series “Renowned Beauties Likened to the Six Immortal Poets"... c. 1794/96
Tatsumi Roko, from the series "Renowned Beauties Likened to the Six Immortal Poets" ("Komei bijin rokkasen"), Japan, c. 1794/96

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Utamaro Kitagawa, a renowned Japanese ukiyo-e artist of the late 18th century, captivated audiences with his exquisite woodblock prints. His works showcased the beauty and allure of women in various settings, capturing their elegance and grace. In "The Courtesan Umegawa and Chubei from the Courier Service, " Utamaro depicted a tender moment between two lovers. The vibrant colors and intricate details brought this scene to life, evoking emotions of love and longing. "Double Pillow" portrayed an intimate encounter between two geishas. With delicate brushstrokes and meticulous attention to detail, Utamaro captured the sensuality and intimacy shared by these women. In "Geisha of the West District, " Utamaro showcased the captivating charm of a geisha as she elegantly posed for the viewer. The vibrant colors added depth to her character, making her presence truly mesmerizing. One of Utamaro's most famous prints was "Lovers under an Umbrella. " This piece exuded romance as it depicted a couple seeking shelter from rain under an umbrella. The soft hues created a dreamlike atmosphere that emphasized their affectionate bond. "The Ninth Month" highlighted one of Japan's amorous festivals through its depiction of couples engaged in passionate encounters. Utamaro skillfully conveyed their desire through subtle gestures and expressions. Utamaro also explored themes beyond human subjects; in "Yamauba Holding Chestnuts while Kintaro Reaches for Them, " he illustrated folklore characters amidst nature's beauty. This print demonstrated his versatility as an artist while maintaining his signature style. Through works like "Drums and Shamisen, " Utamaro celebrated traditional Japanese music by showcasing performers engrossed in their artistry. The dynamic composition reflected both movement and harmony within this cultural tradition. "The Pearl Divers" triptych revealed three panels depicting divers collecting pearls underwater—a testament to Utamaro's ability to capture the beauty of everyday life.