Needlework (Hari-shigoto), from an untitled set of five prints of everyday life , c. 1797-98

Kitagawa Utamaro (1753?-1806) Needlework (Hari-shigoto), from an untitled set of five prints of everyday life, c. 1797-98 Woodcut on a grey ground of a young woman pausing from folding a length of purple tie-dyed gauze to humor a cat playing with the end of the cloth, her sewing case to her left and the tassel of her scissors just brushing the edge of her robe, signed Utamaro hitsu, published by Yamaguchiya Chusuke, censor's seal kiwame (certified)--fine impression and very good color, very slight rubbing and soil, very good condition oban tate-e: 15¼ x 10¼in. (38.7 x 26cm.)