Hanga
Woman Representing Good Fortune by Kitagawa Utamaro — Japanese color woodblock print, 1753–1806

Woman Representing Good Fortune

by Kitagawa Utamaro

Ukiyo-e
FiguresBijin-gaMythology
Date:
1753–1806
Medium:
color woodblock print
Format:
Oban
Dimensions:
47 × 22.3 cm

Description

This color woodblock print presents a woman in a composition associated with good fortune — possibly holding or surrounded by auspicious symbols such as the treasure ship, pine, cranes, or tortoise shells. Imagery of feminine beauty connected to good fortune was commercially popular at New Year's and festival times. The woman as embodiment of good fortune was a convention that linked bijin-ga aesthetics to devotional and celebratory functions.

More Prints by Kitagawa Utamaro

Akashi of the Tamaya, from the series Seven Komachis of Yoshiwara (Seiro nana Komachi) (Tamaya uchi Akashi, Uraji, Shimano) by Kitagawa Utamaro

Akashi of the Tamaya, from the series Seven Komachis of Yoshiwara (Seiro nana Komachi) (Tamaya uchi Akashi, Uraji, Shimano)

Woodblock print

Hour of the Tiger (Tora no koku = 4 AM) from the series Twelve Hours in Yoshiwara (Seirô jûni toki tsuzuki), Late Edo period, circa 1794 by Kitagawa Utamaro

Hour of the Tiger (Tora no koku = 4 AM) from the series Twelve Hours in Yoshiwara (Seirô jûni toki tsuzuki), Late Edo period, circa 1794

Woodblock print

Ikebana arrangement of Peony and Willow in Dragon Pot by Kitagawa Utamaro

Ikebana arrangement of Peony and Willow in Dragon Pot

1781–1806

Woodblock print (nishiki-e), ink and color on paper

The Greatest Beauties of Our Time (Toji zensei bijin zoroe): Somenosuke of the Matsubaya with Attendants Wakagi and Wakaba by Kitagawa Utamaro

The Greatest Beauties of Our Time (Toji zensei bijin zoroe): Somenosuke of the Matsubaya with Attendants Wakagi and Wakaba

Woodblock print

More Figures Prints

Shamyris, Shôwa period, dated 1965? by Hideo Hagiwara

Shamyris, Shôwa period, dated 1965?

Woodblock print

Celebrating the Good Harvest: Felicitations for a Thousand Ages (Nôhônen, Chiyo no kotobuki) by Kawanabe Kyosai

Celebrating the Good Harvest: Felicitations for a Thousand Ages (Nôhônen, Chiyo no kotobuki)

Woodblock print

Midas, Shôwa period, dated 1965? by Hideo Hagiwara

Midas, Shôwa period, dated 1965?

Woodblock print

Gundari Myôô, Shôwa period, dated 1962 by Kihei Sasajima

Gundari Myôô, Shôwa period, dated 1962

Woodblock print

Featured in Collections

Curated cross-cuts that include this print.

Bijin-ga: Japanese Beauty PrintsJapanese Ghost and Yōkai Prints

Frequently Asked Questions

Woman Representing Good Fortune was created by Kitagawa Utamaro (喜多川歌麿) in 1753–1806.

Woman Representing Good Fortune depicts figures, bijin-ga, and mythology.

Woman Representing Good Fortune measures 47 × 22.3 cm (Oban format).