Minazuki (June) - Katsukawa Shunsen

A refined Ukiyo-e woodblock print by Katsukawa Shunsen depicting two women in traditional kimono, representing the month of June.

This woodblock print by Katsukawa Shunsen depicts two women, a classic subject within the bijin-ga genre of Ukiyo-e art. The title, Minazuki, refers to the sixth month of the traditional Japanese lunar calendar, which corresponds to early summer. The figures are rendered with the characteristic elegance of the Katsukawa school, focusing on the graceful lines of their kimono and their refined postures.

The woman on the left wears a dark, patterned kimono with a bold, circular motif on her obi, while her companion carries a long, black lacquer box. The composition balances these two figures against a plain background, allowing the viewer to focus on the textile patterns and the subtle interaction between the subjects. The artist employs a restrained colour palette, typical of prints from this period, which relies on black, soft ochre, and muted red tones to create visual harmony.

Katsukawa Shunsen was a student of Katsukawa Shunsho and later became associated with the Utagawa school. His work often features figures with elongated proportions and expressive facial features. This print demonstrates his ability to capture the fashion and aesthetic sensibilities of the Edo period. The inclusion of the black box suggests a narrative element, perhaps relating to a seasonal custom or a specific task associated with the month of June. The print serves as a record of historical costume and the artistic conventions of the early nineteenth century in Japan. The clean lines and balanced arrangement of the figures reflect the technical precision required in the production of multi-block woodblock prints, where each colour was applied using a separate carved block.