Nape of the Neck
うなじ
- Date:
- 1930
- Medium:
- Color woodblock print
- Publisher:
- Watanabe Shozaburo
Typical Price
Showing a woman from behind, "Nape of the Neck" (Unaji) focuses on the erotically charged area of exposed skin above the kimono collar. This viewpoint is quintessentially Japanese in its aesthetic sensibility. Kotondo's lifetime editions of this alluring composition range from $5,000-$12,000, with posthumous Watanabe reprints at $2,000-$4,000.
Description
A woman is viewed from behind, revealing the nape of her neck — an area traditionally considered one of the most alluring features in Japanese aesthetics. The elaborate hairstyle is swept up to expose the graceful curve of the neck and the upper back, with the collar of her kimono falling slightly to accentuate the exposed skin. The print addresses one of the most culturally specific aspects of Japanese beauty ideals.
