Kikugawa & Kurokami
Kikugawa & Kurokami
The print “Kikugawa & Kurokami” features Kikugawa Tayu of Shimabara dancing “Kurokami” or “Black Hair.”
Although tayu paint their faces white and wear kimono like geisha, tayu tie their obi (sash) in front and wear glorious outer robes called uchikake. Tayu were the leading female icons in Japan in the Genroku era (1688-1704) and a favorite subject for woodblock print artists of the day.
In the 21st century, there have been only a handful of tayu, and Kikugawa was one of the last. She retired in 2018, and this portrait was made in February 2016. The name Kikugawa means Chrysanthemum River in English.
The dance “Kurokami” evokes feelings of sadness, loneliness, and longing as a woman waits in vain for a lover who will never visit, her black hair splayed out on her white pillow during a sleepless night.
For more of the story behind this print, please visit my blog post about it.
PRINT DETAILS:
‣A Timed Edition print created from my original image. The print is not signed or numbered, and it will be available from February 19 - 23, 2024 only.
‣Sizes: 5 x 7 inches, 10 x 14 inches, & 18 x 26 inches
‣Borders: ½ inch on the 5 x 7 and 1-inch on the two larger options
‣Paper: Moab Lasal Exhibition Luster paper (300 gsm) with satin finish
‣Archival Life: 100 years when framed with UV filter glass
‣Packaging: Your print will be placed in a plastic print sleeve and then carefully rolled and packed in a shipping tube for maximum protection.
‣Shipping: Although I am based in Japan, prints will be shipped from the United States via USPS First Class Mail (2-5 days) or USPS First Class International Mail (2-3 weeks). Prints are shipped unmatted and unframed.
‣Any questions, please visit my FAQ or drop me a line.
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Testimonials:
“The quality is awesome and I can’t wait to have them professionally framed.” P.S. in Australia
“I see Tanewaka every morning when I start my day in my office and she makes me happy.” S.C. in California
“A month or so ago, I put up a photograph that I purchased from John Paul Foster in my small bedroom, and it has given me undeniable pleasure. Foster’s portrait of a geisha against an intense sky-blue background blends in with blue-green walls of the room so much so that it looks like it was meant to be there. And the peacefulness of Foster’s portrait perfectly complements the other portraits of women I have placed on the walls of my room: an edgy etching by a French painter of his muse, an etching by John Sloan of a women working at a desk, and a print of a woman reading, by a painter unknown to me. Foster’s photographs, with their intense colors and moods, are like Japanese woodblock paintings. His women are mysterious and captivating. I am happy to have such beautiful artwork close at hand.” J.L.P. in New York
“Once again, thank you so much for these wonders! It’s so amazing to wake up and evolve around this sight!” S.P. in France
“This is just a quick message to give you some wonderful news: today Mameharu’s print has finally arrived! I could not be happier, it is just perfect.” L.M. in Spain