Often mistaken as an original 1803 version of Shimizu Komachi from the series Futaba-gusa nana Komachi by Kitagawa Utamaro this delicate, incredible, finely detailed and beautifully colored print from the Meiji era to very early Showa period rivals the original. Charming depiction of a beauty playing blind man's bluff with two young children. A lovely scene from a rare series. This print commonly called “Komachi at Kiyomizu Temple” from the series “Little Seedlings” parodies the seven legendary episodes in the life of ninth century poet Ono no Komachi. Often found only in some of the worlds finest museums. Overall rich age faded colors, several minute pin holes, age spots, pin holes in all four corners (matted out) and soiled appropriate for it's age. Printed on very thin hand made washi paper with long kozo fibers easily seen within the paper when held up to the light. Matted and ready for framing (20 by 16) with a display image size of 13 and ¾ inches by 9 and ½ inches.

Kitagawa Utamaro (ca. 1753 – 1806) was a Japanese printmaker and painter, and is considered one of the greatest artists of woodblock prints. He is known especially for his masterfully composed studies of women, known as “bijinga”. Despite several oppressions and restrictions, Utamaro kept drawing Yoshiwara, a red-light district in Edo, current Tokyo until his death. He always paid his utmost attention to women and his artworks reveals vivid livelihood, graphic description of their body and their hidden psyche. He is highly rated for portraying the subtlety of emotions expressed with woman’s faces by very delicate changes in the drawing lines and colors.