Kitagawa Utamaro – 喜多川 歌麿 (1753-1806) – Wealthy Beauty & Insect Cage – 美人と虫籠 – From “Famous Beauties”

Fine impressions, classic Utamaro line and expert carving of the kimono all contribute to the elegance of this print. The power of Utamaro was so great that he influenced the Impressionists. This piece depicts a wealthy woman admiring a jewel beetle. Some very Freudian things could be said about one beautiful creature with restricted movement, restricting and admiring another beautiful creature. However, apart from the psychological interpretation of such a piece (which often has great relevance in certain Japanese art / art movements), there was an ancient belief that putting them in your drawers was good luck for always having and acquiring beautiful kimonos. This is because even when the jewel beetle dies, it’s reflective jade wings retain their beauty, and because if any other silk or cotton eating moths or bugs get into the drawers, the beetle will eat them. The quality of your kimono also immediately reveals your place in the hierarchy. Very good condition. Date: Shōwa period. Click the top left corner of the image to enlarge.

Large. – 15.3″ × 10.4″ – Price includes shipping worldwide! All prices in Canadian dollars. In-store purchase discount – $25 off! Comes with 3 hours worth of further reading and documentary viewing!