Utagawa Kuniyoshi, Suhara, from the series Kiso Kaido (The Kiso Highway).

This work is a print from Kiso Kaido Rokujukyu-tsugi no Uchi (The Sixty-nine Stations of the Kiso Road), a series by Utagawa Kuniyoshi, a leading ukiyo-e artist of the late Edo period. It is entitled Suhara: Narihira to Nijo no Kisaki (Suhara: Narihira and Empress Nijo).
The composition depicts Ariwara no Narihira and Empress Nijo passing through wind-swept grasses during their elopement, creating a scene rich in narrative interest. Narihira carries the lady on his back, her sumptuous robes contrasting beautifully with the blue-green grasses. A fan-shaped landscape vignette above deftly combines the literary narrative with a view of a celebrated site, exemplifying Kuniyoshi's distinctive approach to composition.
WORK DETAILS
Artist: Utagawa Kuniyoshi
Series: Kiso Kaido Rokujukyu-tsugi no Uchi (The Sixty-nine Stations of the Kiso Road)
Title: Suhara: Narihira to Nijo no Kisaki (Suhara: Narihira and Empress Nijo)
Medium: Polychrome woodblock print, oban-format nishiki-e
Publication date: Seventh month of Kaei 5 (1852)
Publisher: Kazusaya Iwazo
Signature: Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi ga (Drawn by Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi)
Impression: Undetermined
Overall framed dimensions: Approximately 53 x 41.5 cm (height x width)
CONDITION
The print exhibits age-related yellowing, spotting, wear, fold marks and creasing, with minor damage along the edges. The reverse also shows signs of age. The colors of the figures' robes and the grasses remain relatively well preserved.
The frame and mount also exhibit wear and minor scratches. Please refer to the photographs for a detailed assessment of condition.