Japanese Woodblock by Utagawa Fusatane printed by Tsujibun, 1866

A Japanese woodblock of a bijin holding a basket and offering a cockle shell to a samurai by Utagawa Fusatane. The seal shows it was made in the 5th month of 1866, the year of the tiger. The publisher is Tsujibun (Tsujiokaya Bunsuke, also known as Kinshodou)

The woodblock features sumptuous kimono fabrics and fine line work. It is in good condition and has not been glued to a backing board. There is overall tanning and a minor repair along the central fold. There are also a couple of old worm holes.

Utagawa Fusatane (active 1854-1889) was an Edo/Tokyo print designer. A student of Utagawa Sadafusa, his bijin reflect the drawing style of his master and also of Utagawa Kunisada (1786 - 1865).