This is among Kotondo's most celebrated compositions. Kotondo created only 21 bijin-ga designs (1927–1933), and the original woodblocks were destroyed before WWII, making any original period impression extraordinarily rare. "Kamisuki (Hair Combing)" set the artist record at $72,500 at Christie's New York in 2019.
A woman adjusts a decorative kanzashi (hair ornament) in her elaborately styled coiffure. The ornament — a delicate arrangement of silk flowers and dangling metal pieces — catches the light, drawing attention to the artistry of both the accessory and the hairstyle. Kotondo renders the textures of hair, metal, silk, and skin with equal refinement.
Curated cross-cuts that include this print.
Hair Ornament (髪飾り) was created by Torii Kotondo (鳥居言人) in 1929.
Hair Ornament was published by Watanabe Shozaburo (1929).
Hair Ornament depicts bijin-ga and portraits.
