Youth dancing

Torii Kiyomasu II, attributed to

Woodblock print with hand-applied colour, Youth dancing attributed to Torii Kiyomasu II, printed in Japan, around 1720. Hosoban format, urushi-e print. The subject of this print appears to be a male youth or 'wakashu', though the indicative shaved part of his hairstyle is not clearly shown. Hand-coloured prints of this type with particularly glossy black ink are known as an urushi-e or 'lacquer pictures'. The gloss finish is achieved by applying animal glue to the inked areas.