Bijin-ga by Utamaro, reproduction in 1970's. It should be "hemp leaf" instead of linen leaf.

Bijin-ga by Utamaro, reproduction in 1970's.    It should be "hemp leaf" instead of linen leaf.

Not original but a reproduction
carved and printed in the 20th
century.
The original one was issued in
1870's, while this reproduction
in 1970's.
The woman is putting the white
powder on her neck. It looks like
she has already finisher her face.
She wears a yukata.
There has been a different design
for her yukata, with plovers or
chidori birds. On the yukata we see
"asa no ha" or "hemp leaf" not "linen leaf."
She looks herself in the mirror.
Thus, we can see that she has taken
a bath and now is making up
her face.

The poem reads:


曇りなき 
かかみにむかふ
ふしひたひ 月のかんさし 
雪のおしろい

On the clear surface of
the mirror faces
her forehead of Mt Fuji---
moon decorating her hair
snow powder on her neck!

This is a kyoka poem composed by Sumiyoshi Hokin.
I translated in the video "my forehead," "my hair," and "my neck"
but "my" should have been "her" instead!

Bijin-gaUtamaro,reproduction

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