UTAGAWA KUNISADA II (1823-1880), PENTAPTYCH: COURTESANS OF THE HOUSE OF OWARIYA HIKOTARO VIEWING CHERRY BLOSSOMSBy Utagawa Kunisada II (1823-1880), signed Kunisada ga Japan, dated 1866Color woodblock print on paper. Vertical oban pentaptych. Each sheet signed Kunisada ga; published by Tsutaya Kichizo (Koeido), 1866, 2nd month. Entitled Shin Yoshiwara karitaku, Owariya Hikotaro kakae yujo hanami zu (Temporary quarters of the New Yoshiwara: Courtesans of the House of Owariya Hikotaro Viewing Cherry Blossoms). Sold with a frame (behind glass).Here courtesans decked out in their finery parade in decorated boats on the Sumida River in Edo. They are embarking on a cherry blossom-viewing party, accompanied by their young attendants, also dressed in elaborate gowns. A spectacle equal to the blossoming flowers, the women are the center of attention of boatloads of patrons, many of whom include samurai who wave and call out to them. Taking advantage of the expansiveness of the pentaptych (five-part) format, Kunisada creates a panoramic view of the festivities.Oban pentaptych SIZE ca. 35 x 123 cm (the image) and 49 x 136.5 cm (the frame)Condition: Good colors and impression. With minor stains, fading, creasing mainly along the centerfold, repairs, material loss and tears. Utagawa Kunisada II (1823-1880), also known as Toyokuni III, was a prominent ukiyo-e artist of the Edo period, specializing in prints of actors, kabuki theater scenes, and beautiful women. He was a student and adopted son of ukiyo-e master Utagawa Kunisada (Toyokuni I). Despite facing financial challenges, Kunisada II continued to produce a significant body of work known for its distinctive style and innovative compositions. His prints are prized for their artistic merit and cultural significance, and he is recognized as a prominent figure in Japanese art history.