A stunning large full-color Ukiyo-E Hanga print after original woodblock print "By the Side of a Pond Where Iris Flowers Bloom", a part of Diptych, by Kiyonaga (1752-1815). Comes from a rare Collection of 24 Masterpieces by Kiyonaga. Produced & published by Shuei-Sha, Tokyo, in July 1964. Printers: Toppan Printing Co., LTD. Printed on one side. Attached at the top to a board of heavy textured paper, covered with lighter sheet of paper for protection, numbered 18 on the label on the front of the cover. Excellent condition - minor edge wear on the board, minor age wear on the cover, never framed, ready to be framed. Copy of the commentary by Dr. Kiyoshi Shibui (below) in Japanese and English is included. Overall (folded) 12.55"W x 18.20"H Overall (unfolded) 25"W x 18.20"H Image 10.20"W x 14.30"H Commentary by Ukiyo-e Art consultant & editor Dr. Kiyoshi Shibui: Nishiki-e, O-ban, Tate-e, Diptych Signature: signed KIYONAGA Printers: Unidentified Date: 1785 In the possession of Mr. Isamu Tanaka When I was a little boy, I once found myself in Lord Mito's villa garden, chasing a dragonfly. I was struck with its spacious solitude, the afternoon sun reflecting on the pond looked so golden and serene. This picture does look almost serene as that garden in my memory, but it may not be necessarily so elevated. For the belles in evidence are clearly "long-sleeved ones". The author of this picture is more interested in the fashion of the day than scenics. The iris and the flower de luce are making a brilliant garden out of the marshland. In an early summer, they come out in violet, white, yellow or some variegated color blobs on white ground. The iris is associated in my mind with the Horikiri flower gardens with which every one born at the turn of the century is familiar. The most famed one of them being Kodaka garden, credited to be centuries old. Growing iris flowers was a profitable sidework for the villagers, who no doubt sold them to the city florists. May 5 was the field day for the iris growers since the boys' festival observed on that day requires iris flowers to go with the warrior dolls. There is a variation to this picture, in which the bush-clover in the garden is replaced by pine trees. In the variation, one finds the printers' round seal reading "Takatsu print". It belongs to the late Bunshichi Kobayashi.