This charming picture was painted by the female Japanese artist Uemura Shôen 上村 松園 (1875 – 1949) with watercolor on silk in 1914/15. Two girls are dancing. They are both wearing a kimono in spring colors, light green and yellow, and an elegant hairstyle. The sleeves of the front girl are showing cherry blossoms. She wears traditional white tabi socks and lacquer wooden shoes. She is holding a golden fan in her hand. This is a joyful scene of the upcoming spring. Hopefully soon.
Art on Tuesday: Flowers in the Wind
Today’s picture is an ukiyo-e triptych by Utagawa Toyokuni I 歌川豐國 (1795-1825). The title is 花の風, which means blossoms in the wind, obviously cherry blossoms. Each of the three pictures shows a group of people gathering under a cherry tree in full bloom. In the middle and on the right side they are hanging paper stripes on the branches containing good wishes for the future. On the left side two women try to lift a girl. A strong wind is blowing, the sleeves are flapping and some blossoms are lying on the ground. The scene is cheerful.
Art on Tuesday: Playing
A woman with two children, playing around. This is a funny ukiyo-e by Utagawa Toyokuni 歌川 豐國 (1769-1825). The elder child is hiding under the kimono and the younger child is on the arms of her mother. The baby wears a kimono with a similar pattern as the dress of the woman, so that one sees it on the second glance. All three are having fun, what a nice scene!
Japan Kaleidoskop 