A Kakiemon model of a bijin Edo Period, late 17th century, circa 1670-1680
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Find your local specialistA Kakiemon model of a bijin
Standing with one foot forward, her left hand raised to her lapel, her right hand pressed to her side, decorated in iron-red, blue, green, yellow and black enamels, her kimono with spiral designs and wisteria trailing over a trellis, her under-robe painted with cherry and other blossoms scattered over a chequered design, the base with an old label mislabelling the figure as Chinese; and marked with an inventory number 424 (partially effaced) and initials O and S.
39.3cm (15½in) high.
Footnotes
柿右衛門 色絵藤模様打掛姿婦人像 17世紀後期（1670-1680年頃）
Provenance: a European Noble Family, where it has remained for at least one hundred years. According to the family, this was acquired by their great, great grandfather, who was a notable ambassador to the Far East in the mid 19th century.
These figures are representations of the beautiful woman (bijin) theme that was a staple of Japanese ukiyo-e paintings and woodblock prints. They wear clothing and a hairstyle popular in Japan during the Kanbun era (1661-1673), when this coiffure and the loose outer robe and black sash were popular among courtesans.
This model is known with a large variety of decorations. Compare with other figures of this form but with varying painted designs, illustrated by Hayashiya Seizo, Nihon no Toji, vol.9, Kakiemon, pls.30, 31, 161-166; Sekai Toji Zenshu, vol.8, pls.49, 50; Imaizumi Motosuke, Genshoku Nihon no Meito, Ko-Imari to Kakiemon, pl.68; Soame Jenyns, Japanese Porcelain, pl.63B.
Another figure, with a slightly different wisteria design, is illustrated in the Exhibition Catalogue commemorating the succession of Kakiemon XIV, Genruyu kara gendai made Kakiemon no sekai ten, Asahi Shimbunsha, Tokyo 1983, p.47, pl.54.
