Near perfect condition. There are no stains, creases, holes, or tears. The printed lines are exceptionally sharp, and the colors remain rich and vibrant. An outstanding impression with excellent preservation.
This hand-carved and hand-printed woodblock reproduction was published in 1955 by the Adachi Institute of Woodcut Prints (アダチ版画研究所). It faithfully reproduces Izumiya Osen (伊勢屋おせん), one of Kitagawa Utamaro's most celebrated bijin-ga portraits, originally designed around 1793–1794.
The print depicts Osen, the famed waitress of the Izumiya teahouse, shown in an intimate bust portrait as she adjusts her hair with a towel draped over her shoulder. Utamaro's subtle expression, graceful pose, and refined linework capture the elegance that made his portraits of beautiful women among the masterpieces of ukiyo-e.
Osen was a real woman whose beauty attracted widespread attention in Edo, making her one of the city's earliest public celebrities. Her popularity inspired numerous woodblock prints, and Utamaro's portrayal became one of the defining images of late eighteenth-century bijin-ga.
Produced by the Adachi Institute, this edition was hand-carved from newly prepared cherrywood blocks and hand-printed on traditional washi paper using time-honored mokuhanga techniques. Adachi's reproductions are internationally recognized for their exceptional fidelity to the original Edo-period impressions and are collected by museums and enthusiasts worldwide.
The reverse bears the Adachi copyright stamp reading 「不許複刻複写」 ("Recarving and reproduction prohibited"), confirming it as an official 1955 Adachi edition.
A superb museum-quality hand-printed reproduction that showcases Utamaro's celebrated portrait of one of Edo's most famous beauties.
