{"title":"Utagawa Toyokuni Ii","description":null,"products":[{"product_id":"a-woman-stands-on-a-rock-in-a-stream-washing-clothes-utagawa-toyoshige","title":"A Woman Stands on a Rock in a Stream Washing Clothes - Utagawa Toyoshige","description":"\u003cp\u003eA serene ukiyo-e woodblock print by Utagawa Toyoshige, depicting a woman washing clothes in a stream beneath a weeping willow.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis woodblock print by Utagawa Toyoshige captures a quiet moment of daily life in Edo-period Japan. The composition is framed within a circular cartouche, a common format for uchiwa-e, or fan prints. The artist depicts a woman standing upon a rock in the centre of a shallow stream, her attention directed toward the task of washing garments. Beside her, wooden tubs sit on the bank, while a weeping willow tree hangs over the scene, its branches providing a soft, linear contrast to the flowing water.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eToyoshige, who was a student of the prominent artist Utagawa Toyokuni I, employs a restrained palette. The muted tones of the water and the natural surroundings allow the figure of the woman to remain the primary focus. Her posture is relaxed, and the drapery of her kimono is rendered with fluid, calligraphic lines that suggest movement and the weight of wet fabric. The water itself is represented by simple, rhythmic lines that curve around the rocks and the woman's feet, creating a sense of gentle motion.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis work belongs to the genre of bijin-ga, or pictures of beautiful women, though it departs from the highly stylised portraits often found in urban prints. Instead, it offers a glimpse into a rural or semi-rural setting, focusing on the intersection of human activity and the natural environment. The print demonstrates the technical skill of the carvers and printers of the period, who managed to convey texture and atmosphere through the careful application of ink on paper. The circular framing device draws the viewer into the scene, creating a sense of intimacy and observation. It is a fine example of the ukiyo-e tradition, which sought to document the fleeting moments of everyday life with precision and grace.\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=\"\/fr\/products\/the-actor-yamanaka-heikuro-i-torii-kiyonobu-i\" 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;\"\u003eThe Actor Yamanaka Heikuro I - Torii Kiyonobu I — Torii Kiyonobu I\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/fr\/products\/bamboo-quay-by-kyobashi-bridge-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;\"\u003eBamboo Quay by Kyōbashi Bridge - Utagawa Hiroshige — Utagawa Hiroshige\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Utagawa Toyokuni II","offers":[{"title":"Fine Art Poster \/ A4 (21x29.7 cm) \/ -","offer_id":58990610874703,"sku":null,"price":28.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Poster \/ A3 (29.7 x 42  cm) \/ -","offer_id":58990615396687,"sku":null,"price":35.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Poster \/ A2 (42 x 59.4  cm) \/ -","offer_id":58990615429455,"sku":null,"price":45.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A4 (21x29.7 cm) \/ Black frame","offer_id":58990615462223,"sku":null,"price":45.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A4 (21x29.7 cm) \/ Wood frame","offer_id":58990615494991,"sku":null,"price":45.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A4 (21x29.7 cm) \/ Dark wood frame","offer_id":58990615527759,"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":58990615560527,"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":58990615593295,"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":58990615626063,"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":58990615658831,"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":58990615691599,"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":58990615724367,"sku":null,"price":90.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0833\/9292\/1935\/files\/A-Woman-Stands-on-a-Rock-in-a-Stream-Washing-Clothes_Poster_CompositorV1_1790991781292.jpg?v=1790992798"},{"product_id":"an-actors-image-in-a-sake-cup-utagawa-toyoshige","title":"An Actor's Image in a Sake Cup - Utagawa Toyoshige","description":"\u003cp\u003eA refined Ukiyo-e woodblock print by Utagawa Toyoshige, depicting a woman contemplating the image of a kabuki actor reflected within a sake cup.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis woodblock print by Utagawa Toyoshige, a student and successor of the Utagawa school, captures a moment of reflection within the floating world of Edo-period Japan. The composition features a woman in a dark kimono, holding a small sake cup. Above her, a circular inset depicts the face of a kabuki actor, suggesting a connection between the woman and the performer. The print belongs to a series that plays with the concept of reflection and memory, using the sake cup as a vessel for the viewer to contemplate the actor's presence.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eToyoshige, who later took the name Utagawa Toyokuni II, demonstrates a refined approach to line and colour. The woman's attire is rendered with attention to the patterns on her kimono, which contrast with the plain background. The inclusion of plum blossoms near the actor's portrait adds a seasonal element, often associated with the early spring and the renewal of theatrical seasons. The print uses the traditional ukiyo-e technique, where multiple blocks are carved to apply distinct colours to the paper. The facial features of both the woman and the actor follow the stylistic conventions of the period, with elongated eyes and expressive lines that define their character. This work provides an insight into the cultural fascination with kabuki actors, who were treated as celebrities in Edo society. By placing the actor's image within a cup, the artist creates a visual metaphor for the fleeting nature of fame and the personal devotion of the fan. The print remains a clear example of the technical skill involved in early nineteenth-century Japanese printmaking, where the balance between text, figure, and decorative elements was carefully managed to create a narrative within a single frame.\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=\"\/fr\/products\/evening-glow-at-ryogoku-bridge-keisai-eisen\" 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;\"\u003eEvening Glow at Ryogoku Bridge - Keisai Eisen — Keisai Eisen\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/fr\/products\/bamboo-quay-by-kyobashi-bridge-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;\"\u003eBamboo Quay by Kyōbashi Bridge - Utagawa Hiroshige — Utagawa Hiroshige\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Utagawa Toyokuni II","offers":[{"title":"Fine Art Poster \/ A4 (21x29.7 cm) \/ -","offer_id":59033275171151,"sku":null,"price":28.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Poster \/ A3 (29.7 x 42  cm) \/ -","offer_id":59033304858959,"sku":null,"price":35.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Poster \/ A2 (42 x 59.4  cm) \/ -","offer_id":59033304891727,"sku":null,"price":45.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A4 (21x29.7 cm) \/ Black frame","offer_id":59033304924495,"sku":null,"price":45.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A4 (21x29.7 cm) \/ Wood frame","offer_id":59033304957263,"sku":null,"price":45.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A4 (21x29.7 cm) \/ Dark wood frame","offer_id":59033304990031,"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":59033305022799,"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":59033305055567,"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":59033305088335,"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":59033305121103,"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":59033305153871,"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":59033305186639,"sku":null,"price":90.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0833\/9292\/1935\/files\/An-Actor-s-Image-in-a-Sake-Cup_Poster_CompositorV1_1791359295737.jpg?v=1791360191"},{"product_id":"sunshu-kiyomi-dera-yoshiwara-shuku-en-kei-raku-gan-utagawa-toyoshige","title":"Sunshu Kiyomi-dera Yoshiwara Shuku En Kei: Raku Gan - Utagawa Toyoshige","description":"\u003cp\u003eA traditional Ukiyo-e woodblock print by Utagawa Toyoshige, capturing the serene coastal view of Kiyomi-dera and Mount Fuji.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis woodblock print by Utagawa Toyoshige depicts the scenic coastal area of Kiyomi-dera and the Yoshiwara post station in Suruga Province. The composition follows the conventions of the meisho-e genre, which focuses on famous places throughout Japan. In the background, the iconic silhouette of Mount Fuji rises above a range of mountains, framed by a soft, warm sky. A flock of geese descends towards the water, a classic motif in Japanese art representing the arrival of autumn.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe middle ground features the expansive bay, dotted with small sailing vessels that suggest the active maritime trade of the period. To the left, a steep, rocky path winds up towards the temple complex, where figures are shown navigating the terrain. The foreground includes a cluster of thatched-roof buildings, providing a sense of scale and human presence against the vast natural surroundings. The use of Prussian blue in the water and the distinct colour blocks demonstrate the technical precision of the Ukiyo-e printing process.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUtagawa Toyoshige, also known as Utagawa Kunishige II, was a student of the master Utagawa Toyokuni I. His work often reflects the stylistic developments of the late Edo period, balancing traditional compositions with the emerging interest in topographical accuracy. The print captures a moment of quiet observation, focusing on the relationship between the built environment and the natural world. The balanced distribution of elements across the frame creates a sense of harmony, typical of the period's aesthetic preferences for orderly, serene views. This print offers a glimpse into the travel culture of nineteenth-century Japan, where such images served as both souvenirs and artistic representations of the country's geography.\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=\"\/fr\/products\/ladies-surrounding-a-cart-utamaro-ii\" 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;\"\u003eLadies Surrounding a Cart - Utamaro II — Utamaro II\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/fr\/products\/a-party-of-merrymakers-in-a-house-in-the-yoshiwara-on-a-moonlight-night-kitagawa-utamaro\" 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 Party of Merrymakers in a House in the Yoshiwara on a Moonlight Night - Kitagawa Utamaro — Kitagawa Utamaro\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Utagawa Toyokuni II","offers":[{"title":"Fine Art Poster \/ A4 (21x29.7 cm) \/ -","offer_id":59081716793679,"sku":null,"price":28.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Poster \/ A3 (29.7 x 42  cm) \/ -","offer_id":59081719447887,"sku":null,"price":35.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Poster \/ A2 (42 x 59.4  cm) \/ -","offer_id":59081719480655,"sku":null,"price":45.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A4 (21x29.7 cm) \/ Black frame","offer_id":59081719513423,"sku":null,"price":45.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A4 (21x29.7 cm) \/ Wood frame","offer_id":59081719546191,"sku":null,"price":45.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A4 (21x29.7 cm) \/ Dark wood frame","offer_id":59081719578959,"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":59081719611727,"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":59081719644495,"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":59081719677263,"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":59081719710031,"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":59081719742799,"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":59081719775567,"sku":null,"price":90.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0833\/9292\/1935\/files\/Sunshu-Kiyomi-dera-Yoshiwara-Shuku-En-Kei_-Raku-Gan_Poster_CompositorV1_1791618688436.jpg?v=1791618862"}],"url":"https:\/\/www.solisprints.co.uk\/fr\/collections\/utagawa-toyokuni-ii.oembed","provider":"Solis Prints","version":"1.0","type":"link"}