ATTRIBUTED TO KATSUKAWA SHUNEI: oban tate-e (38.1 x 25.4 cm.); a scene in a teahouse of the wrestler Onogawa, in blue striped robes, his pocket-book sticking out, seated on a bench and conversing with the waitress who stands before the cabinet of tea implements, towel in mouth, impressed by his presence, unsigned- very good impression, good color, very slight oxidation and minute pin holes, otherwise good condition

Provenance

Henri Vever, sold Messrs. Sotheby and Co., London, Highly Important Japanese Prints, Illustrated Books, Drawings and Paintings from the Collection of Henri Vever: Part II, 26 March, 1975, lot 215

As Mr. Hillier notes in his entry to the catalogue cited above, this print originated from the Haviland Collection (10th sale, Paris, June, 1923, no. 143) where it was attributed to Shunei. At that time Mr. Hillier offered the view that the design was more in keeping with the work of Shuncho.
Dr. Bickford has determined that this image is a revised version of 1789-90 of a print issued in 1782-3 by another artist, Katsukawa Shunsho. Shunei updated the coiffure of the waitress and removed the Shunsho signature. (See Sumo and the Woodblock Print Masters, figs. 20a-b., p. 79)