57. HOKKEI  (1780-1850). A Geisha as Sōshin

57. HOKKEI (1780-1850). A Geisha as Sōshin

TOTOYA HOKKEI  (1780-1850)

A lady, probably a geisha, is cutting her fingernails. In her right hand
she holds scissors while her left hand is immersed in a cup of water
to soften her fingers. The woman’s kimono is decorated with flowers,
bundles of wood and the symbol of the Shippo-ren poetry circle.
On the left a vase contains the nanakusa (the seven herbs collected
on the seventh day of the first month of the year believed to prevent
diseases).

Woodblock colour print with metallic pigments details
Shikishiban surimono, 21,1x18 cm
Signed Go Hokkei
Poems by Fukukinsha Ayatari and Fukufukutei Kanenari
Title: Sōshin
From the series Twenty-Four Paragons of Filial Piety for the Seven Treasures
Circle (Shippōren nijūshiko).
The subject is associated with the episode of Zeng Can (J: Sōshin).
The story tells of when he was gathering wood in the forest but
suddenly returned home as he felt his mother bite her fingers willing
his return home. The series mainly includes images of women
depicted in various occupations and only a few still-life.
Privately published by the Shippō-ren circle of poets
c. 1825

The only other published impression is illustrated in Richard Kruml.
Surimono 23, no. 102. Another example is in the New York Public
Library no. 114093.2.

lllustrated in our catalogue Surimono. Hokusai-Shinsai-Hokkei-Gakutei, 
September 2024, no. 57.

Very good impression, colour slightly faded, very good condition

Price: Euro 2700

Status: Available



Item: D 345