{"product_id":"the-sixth-month-rokugatsu-kitagawa-utamaro","title":"The Sixth Month (Rokugatsu) - Kitagawa Utamaro","description":"\u003cp\u003eA classic ukiyo-e woodblock print by Kitagawa Utamaro, depicting a genre scene of daily life in Edo-period Japan, complete with traditional kyoka poetry.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis woodblock print by Kitagawa Utamaro depicts a scene from the sixth month of the lunar calendar. It belongs to a series illustrating genre scenes paired with kyoka, a form of humorous or satirical waka poetry. The composition features two figures engaged in daily activities, set against the backdrop of a willow tree. One figure stands, drinking from a bowl, while the other attends to a portable food stall, likely serving noodles.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUtamaro is recognised for his mastery of the ukiyo-e tradition, particularly his ability to capture the nuances of human gesture and expression. In this work, the lines are delicate and precise, characteristic of the artist's refined approach to woodblock printing. The inclusion of calligraphy adds a layer of literary context, integrating text and image in a manner common to the period. The palette is restrained, relying on soft tones to define the figures and the surrounding environment, which allows the viewer to focus on the interaction between the subjects.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe print offers a glimpse into the social fabric of Edo-period Japan, where street vendors and commoners were frequent subjects for artists. By documenting these fleeting moments, Utamaro provides a record of urban life, fashion, and customs. The willow tree, often associated with the summer season in Japanese art, provides a sense of place and time. This piece demonstrates the technical skill required to produce multi-block prints, where each colour and line is carefully registered to create a cohesive final image. Collectors of Japanese prints will appreciate the balance between the calligraphic elements and the figurative representation, as well as the historical context provided by the kyoka verses.\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\/the-famous-practical-jokers-yajirobei-at-a-wayside-restaurant-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;\"\u003eThe Famous Practical Jokers: Yajirobei at a Wayside Restaurant - Utagawa Hiroshige — Utagawa Hiroshige\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/view-of-benten-shrine-on-nakanoshima-island-in-shinobazu-pond-ueno-park-utagawa-hiroshige-iii\" 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 Benten Shrine on Nakanoshima Island in Shinobazu Pond, Ueno Park - Utagawa Hiroshige III — Utagawa Hiroshige III\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Kitagawa Utamaro","offers":[{"title":"Fine Art Poster \/ A4 (21x29.7 cm) \/ -","offer_id":58928998842703,"sku":null,"price":29.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Poster \/ A3 (29.7 x 42  cm) \/ -","offer_id":58929155899727,"sku":null,"price":39.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Poster \/ A2 (42 x 59.4  cm) \/ -","offer_id":58929155932495,"sku":null,"price":49.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A4 (21x29.7 cm) \/ Black frame","offer_id":58929155965263,"sku":null,"price":89.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A4 (21x29.7 cm) \/ Wood frame","offer_id":58929155998031,"sku":null,"price":89.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A4 (21x29.7 cm) \/ Dark wood frame","offer_id":58929156030799,"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":58929156063567,"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":58929156096335,"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":58929156129103,"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":58929156161871,"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":58929156194639,"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":58929156227407,"sku":null,"price":185.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0833\/9292\/1935\/files\/The-Sixth-Month-Rokugatsu-_Poster_CompositorV1_1790701931747.jpg?v=1790702890","url":"https:\/\/www.solisprints.com\/products\/the-sixth-month-rokugatsu-kitagawa-utamaro","provider":"Solis Prints","version":"1.0","type":"link"}