{"product_id":"looking-feminine-the-appearance-of-a-castle-toppler-of-the-tempo-era-utagawa-kuniyoshi","title":"Looking feminine (The appearance of a ‘castle-toppler’ of the Tempo era) - Utagawa Kuniyoshi","description":"\u003cp\u003eA classic Ukiyo-e woodblock print by Utagawa Kuniyoshi depicting a high-ranking courtesan in elaborate traditional dress.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis woodblock print by Utagawa Kuniyoshi belongs to the series 'Thirty-two Aspects of Customs and Manners' (Fūzoku sanjūni sō). The subject is a high-ranking courtesan, described in the title as a 'castle-toppler' (keisei), a term denoting a woman of such beauty that her presence could cause the downfall of a fortress. The work captures the aesthetic ideals of the Tempo era (1830-1844), a period marked by strict sumptuary laws that often influenced the fashion depicted in ukiyo-e prints.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe composition focuses on the upper torso and head of the woman, allowing for a detailed examination of her elaborate hairstyle and accessories. She wears a large, golden hair ornament (kanzashi) that radiates from her coiffure, providing a stark contrast to the dark tones of her hair. Her kimono features a bold, geometric pattern of hexagons enclosing floral motifs, rendered in a palette of red, blue, and green. The artist employs clean, precise lines to define the contours of her face and the folds of her garments, maintaining a flat, graphic quality typical of the medium.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eKuniyoshi was known for his versatility, moving between dramatic warrior prints and more delicate studies of contemporary life. In this series, he explores the nuances of female expression and fashion. The inclusion of cartouches containing text provides context regarding the specific social type being represented. The print demonstrates the technical skill of the carvers and printers who worked with Kuniyoshi, particularly in the application of colour and the registration of the complex patterns on the kimono. This piece offers a view into the visual culture of the late Edo period, documenting the styles and social archetypes that defined the urban experience in nineteenth-century Japan.\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=\"\/products\/view-of-tokyo-snow-scene-utagawa-hiroshige-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;\"\u003eView of Tokyo, Snow Scene - Utagawa Hiroshige II — Utagawa Hiroshige II\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/yokkaichi-view-of-the-mie-river-utagawa-hiroshige-1\" 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;\"\u003eYokkaichi: View of the Mie River - Utagawa Hiroshige — Utagawa Hiroshige\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Utagawa Kuniyoshi","offers":[{"title":"Fine Art Poster \/ A4 (21x29.7 cm) \/ -","offer_id":58798626767183,"sku":null,"price":29.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Poster \/ A3 (29.7 x 42  cm) \/ -","offer_id":58798642430287,"sku":null,"price":39.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Poster \/ A2 (42 x 59.4  cm) \/ -","offer_id":58798642463055,"sku":null,"price":49.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A4 (21x29.7 cm) \/ Black frame","offer_id":58798642495823,"sku":null,"price":89.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A4 (21x29.7 cm) \/ Wood frame","offer_id":58798642528591,"sku":null,"price":89.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A4 (21x29.7 cm) \/ Dark wood frame","offer_id":58798642561359,"sku":null,"price":89.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A3 (29.7 x 42  cm) \/ Black frame","offer_id":58798642594127,"sku":null,"price":119.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A3 (29.7 x 42  cm) \/ Wood frame","offer_id":58798642626895,"sku":null,"price":119.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A3 (29.7 x 42  cm) \/ Dark wood frame","offer_id":58798642659663,"sku":null,"price":119.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A2 (42 x 59.4  cm) \/ Black frame","offer_id":58798642692431,"sku":null,"price":185.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A2 (42 x 59.4  cm) \/ Wood frame","offer_id":58798642725199,"sku":null,"price":185.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A2 (42 x 59.4  cm) \/ Dark wood frame","offer_id":58798642757967,"sku":null,"price":185.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0833\/9292\/1935\/files\/Looking-feminine-The-appearance-of-a-castle-toppler-of-the-Tempo-era-_Poster_CompositorV1_1789580218214.jpg?v=1789581422","url":"https:\/\/www.solisprints.com\/products\/looking-feminine-the-appearance-of-a-castle-toppler-of-the-tempo-era-utagawa-kuniyoshi","provider":"Solis Prints","version":"1.0","type":"link"}