Posted by Guy Pepermans (91.176.36.132) on October 29, 2010 at 14:47:46:
In Reply to: Shunga print by which artist and from wh posted by Mikael on October 28, 2010 at 20:52:58:
Mikael,
The title of the book "Shaku hana hasso yamato bunko" leads me to Utagawa Kunimori II (active 1848-60s) but the sources that I encountered are conflicting. Some sources mention that this deluxe shungahon was designed in 1860 by Kunimori II using both the pseudonym "Koikawa Shozan" and the 'go' "Insuitei" in shunga publications. Others sources consider Kunimori II and Koikawa Shozan (1821-1097) as different artists.
In my opinion - but I could be mistaken, some of the confusion is due to the fact that shunga albums are never properly signed - so 1 volume (out of3) was designed by Kunimori II, another by Shozan and possibly the 3rd volume by Kunisada (Toyokuni III) - all volumes signed with the same 'go' "Insuitei".
Perhaps the shunga specialists could give us more reliable information on this matter
Anyway, your 'dyptich' is a double colour page from a shunga picture book that unfortunately was completely dismantled for very doubtful commercial reasons. I add an image of the original state with a border.
Guy.