Wonderful Woodblock printed hexaptych of Nagasaki Monumental work by Utagawa Sadahide
[Japan] Truly a superb piece of art by Sadahide (1807-c1879), who produced some of the most iconic maps prints and woodblock prints depicting the lives of Westerners in Yokohama and Nagasaki from 1859 when the two treaty ports were opened to the world. This work is actually two triptychs that were designed to be joined together to make a magnificent six-panel print. The first triptych (the three prints making up the right half of the hexaptych) is titled, 'Hizen Nagasaki Maruyama Kakuchu no Fukei' [View of the Maruyama Red Light Area in Nagasaki, Hizen Province'] and the second triptych (the three prints making up the left half of the hexaptych) is titled, 'Hizen Kiyo [Nagasaki] Tamaura Fukei no Zu' ['View of Tamaura in Nagasaki, Hizen Province']. From the far right panel we see the bustling Nagasaki town in spring with cherry blossoms in full bloom and Westerners, Japanese and some Chinese people going about their daily lives. Courtesans are walking in the street, a couple of Chinese dancers are performing, and a group of Westerners and Japanese are being entertained by geisha in a private room. The three prints making up the left half of the hexaptych show the port area with streets and areas named (such as Edo-cho, Hirado-cho etc.) and ends with a lovely view of Dejima and a Dutch vessel along with a few other ships anchored in port. Interestingly, this hexaptych is joined together but has been perfectly folded in order to fit its covers that are labelled 'Nagasaki Saiken Zuga' ['Detailed Map of Nagasaki']. The covers may have been used for an actual map but it is possible the first owner had the covers made for this when it was bought. A very impressive item.
Edo [Tokyo]. Fujiokaya Keijiro. May 1862.
149 x 38.5cm (18 x 12.5cm when folded up).
In very good condition. Some expected age wear and a few minor marks, chips at some edges and a few tiny holes at cross folds. Otherwise very good. Unbacked with nice bleedthrough. u37021805
