Clock and Beauty IV (Red and White)
Ito Shinsui Catalogue

Clock and Beauty IV (Red and White) - Ito Shinsui Catalogue woodblock print
Artist
Ito Shinsui 伊東深水
English title
Clock and Beauty IV (Red and White)
Japanese title
赤と白
Series
Hotta Clock commission 堀田時計店版
Date
Medium
Colour woodblock print on paper
Paper size (h × w)
Oban 大判
37.5 × 28.5 cm
Image size (h × w)
33.0 × 24.0 cm
First edition seal
No publisher seal
Subsequent seals
Edition size
Open
Posthumously printed
No
Publisher
Watanabe Shozaburo 渡邊庄三郎
Carver
Printer
Subjects
Bijin-ga 美人画
Portraits
Makeup
Remarks
In 1969 (Showa 44), to commemorate the 90th anniversary of the founding of Hotta Watch Shop, this print was created by painter Ito Shinsui, a leading figure in the painting of beautiful women who had a strong bond with Hotta Watch Shop. The prints in the Clock and Beauty series that have been produced so far have depicted the Edo period with the first work, "Tower Clock," and the Meiji period with the second work, "Yakai Maki," and the third work, "Bonbon Clock," but the fourth work, "Red and White," depicts the Showa period. It is said that the model was painter Ito's beloved daughter, Asaoka Yukiji, who was active as an actress and TV personality. The modern young woman in a white blouse, bright red skirt, ribbon tie, beret and lipstick overlaps with Yukiji's bright image, and the title "Red and White" is thought to be a projection of the "red" of the skirt and the image of the untouched white snow of Asaoka Yukiji (Snow Road of Morning Hills), the stage name of the woman wearing it. The background is decorated with colorful geometric patterns, and the word "HOTTA" can be seen on a wall clock with Roman numerals and decorative Louis XIV-style hands. However, the clock is drawn to blend into the background and is rather faintly cast in shadow. Perhaps this is where Ito's love for his model, Yukiji, is hidden.
Catalogue number
IS147
Supplementary images