Posted by John Fiorillo (64.161.25.252) on March 22, 2004 at 02:27:35:
In Reply to: Original Utamaro? posted by Uesugikenshin on March 21, 2004 at 14:16:55:
I agree with Dick's assessment, based on the description of the print.
It does bring up an important point: Internet buying can be risky. Although a comparison of key block lines is essential for authentication, it is not always foolproof. (There are reproductive processes that duplicate all lines exactly, so we must take into consideration other aspects of print design.) The posted Utamaro design (Tagasode and Hanamurasaki of the Kadotamaya) looks pretty good in terms of the lines when compared to a small illustration of an original in the Winzinger collection (exhibited in 1984 at the Riccar Art Museum). This demonstrates how elusive authentication can be when working only from scans and small pictures. There's nothing like having the actual printed objects in hand for more reliable assessments.
By the way, Kiyoshi Shibui's listing of only 2 prints in the series Seirô bijin meika awase was one of his more incomplete inventories. There are at least 9 known designs from the series.
John