KUNICHIKA TOYOHARA Oshima Yasohachi (Edo, 1835 - 1900). Original polychrome hylographic etching on washi vergellata paper backed by decorated paper on verso mm 360x275, Oban format. Belongs to the Edo period this genre of images is placed in a typical bijinga (female beauty). Second half of the 19th century. The scene depicts an elegant and beautiful female figure, probably a geisha wearing a fine kimono (at one time in the East the word “geisha” meant artist, any woman who wanted to become one from childhood was thus instructed in various cultural activities: dance, conversation, and especially music) playing the traditional and ancient shamisen, a kind of square lute made of walnut or rose wood, with three silk strings, used for accompaniment during performances of Kabuki and Bunraku theater. Behind in the background is the text the artist is setting to music; top left is the signature of the author of the text. Bottom right Kunichika Toyoharae's signature and seal of the censor and publisher, artist's stamp in red. The author was a painter, one of the last Japanese ukiyo-e masters. His works are certainly in the groove of tradition, because of the subjects they depict (yakusha-e, bijinga, sumo-e, musha-e) and also because of the techniques with which they are made. His first signed print is from 1852, but it was not until 1854 who took the gō (stage name) "Kunichika." He is best known for his prints of Kabuki actors, using the woodblock technique. He also painted beautiful women and, for some special occasions, historical scenes. Beautiful specimen.