{"product_id":"hour-of-the-dog-inu-no-koku-kitagawa-utamaro","title":"Hour of the Dog (Inu no koku) - Kitagawa Utamaro","description":"\u003cp\u003eA woodblock print by Kitagawa Utamaro depicting a courtesan and her attendant during the evening hours in the Yoshiwara district.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis woodblock print by Kitagawa Utamaro belongs to the series Twelve Hours in Yoshiwara, which documents the daily activities of courtesans within the pleasure district of Edo. The Hour of the Dog, corresponding to the period between 7:00 and 9:00 PM, captures a quiet moment of correspondence. A high-ranking courtesan, or oiran, kneels upon a floor mat, holding a long scroll of paper. She is engaged in writing or reading a letter, while a young attendant, or kamuro, leans in to observe the document with a curious expression.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUtamaro is known for his mastery of the bijin-ga genre, which focuses on the depiction of beautiful women. His approach here avoids static portraiture, opting instead for a narrative quality that suggests a specific interaction between the two figures. The composition is balanced by the verticality of the scroll and the attendant's posture, which mirrors the curve of the courtesan's form. The colour palette remains restrained, utilising soft pinks, muted greens, and charcoal tones to maintain a sense of intimacy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe print features the characteristic calligraphic line work associated with Utamaro, particularly in the rendering of the fabric folds and the delicate facial features of the subjects. The inclusion of the cartouche at the top right, which identifies the specific hour, provides a structural element that anchors the scene within the broader thematic series. This work offers a glimpse into the social dynamics of the Yoshiwara district, where literacy and the exchange of letters played a role in the interactions between courtesans and their patrons. The attention to detail in the clothing patterns and the writing implements reflects the high level of craftsmanship involved in the production of ukiyo-e prints during the late eighteenth century.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"margin-top:2rem;padding-top:1.5rem;border-top:1px solid #e5e5e5;\"\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-size:0.85rem;color:#888;font-weight:600;margin:0 0 0.75rem;text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:0.05em;\"\u003eYou might also like\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"display:flex;flex-wrap:wrap;gap:0.5rem;\"\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/de\/products\/ryogoku-bridge-and-the-great-riverbank-utagawa-hiroshige\" style=\"display:inline-block;background:#f8f9fa;border:1px solid #e5e5e5;border-radius:20px;padding:0.35rem 0.85rem;font-size:0.8rem;color:#2a555a;font-weight:500;text-decoration:none !important;background-image:none !important;\"\u003eRyōgoku Bridge and the Great Riverbank - Utagawa Hiroshige — Utagawa Hiroshige\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/de\/products\/a-boat-upon-the-waters-utagawa-kuniyoshi\" style=\"display:inline-block;background:#f8f9fa;border:1px solid #e5e5e5;border-radius:20px;padding:0.35rem 0.85rem;font-size:0.8rem;color:#2a555a;font-weight:500;text-decoration:none !important;background-image:none !important;\"\u003eA Boat upon the Waters - Utagawa Kuniyoshi — Utagawa Kuniyoshi\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Kitagawa Utamaro","offers":[{"title":"Fine Art Poster \/ A4 (21x29.7 cm) \/ -","offer_id":58935603528015,"sku":null,"price":28.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Poster \/ A3 (29.7 x 42  cm) \/ -","offer_id":58936222089551,"sku":null,"price":35.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Poster \/ A2 (42 x 59.4  cm) \/ -","offer_id":58936222122319,"sku":null,"price":45.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A4 (21x29.7 cm) \/ Black frame","offer_id":58936222155087,"sku":null,"price":45.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A4 (21x29.7 cm) \/ Wood frame","offer_id":58936222187855,"sku":null,"price":45.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A4 (21x29.7 cm) \/ Dark wood frame","offer_id":58936222220623,"sku":null,"price":45.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A3 (29.7 x 42  cm) \/ Black frame","offer_id":58936222253391,"sku":null,"price":60.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A3 (29.7 x 42  cm) \/ Wood frame","offer_id":58936222286159,"sku":null,"price":60.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A3 (29.7 x 42  cm) \/ Dark wood frame","offer_id":58936222318927,"sku":null,"price":60.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A2 (42 x 59.4  cm) \/ Black frame","offer_id":58936222351695,"sku":null,"price":90.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A2 (42 x 59.4  cm) \/ Wood frame","offer_id":58936222384463,"sku":null,"price":90.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A2 (42 x 59.4  cm) \/ Dark wood frame","offer_id":58936222417231,"sku":null,"price":90.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0833\/9292\/1935\/files\/Hour-of-the-Dog-Inu-no-koku-_Poster_CompositorV1_1790710257333.jpg?v=1790710695","url":"https:\/\/www.solisprints.co.uk\/de\/products\/hour-of-the-dog-inu-no-koku-kitagawa-utamaro","provider":"Solis Prints","version":"1.0","type":"link"}