UTAGAWA KUNIYOSHI (1797–1861) A small colour painting on silk, depicting two kamuro in kimonos adorned with ôtsu-et, turning round, presumably waiting for the oiran (courtesan) they are accompanying. Signed ‘Ichiyûsai’ in the lower right-hand corner, above the red seal depicting a stylised paulownia (yoshi-kiri). (Stains; mounted on cardboard). Japan, mid-19th century, probably c. 1844. A SMALL PAINTING, COLOURS ON SILK, SIGNED, JAPAN, MID-19TH CENTURY, PROBABLY CA. 1844. DIM. (WITHOUT MOUNT) 52 X 33 CM (20 1/2 X 13 IN.) Note this painting is reproduced on the website of the leading Kuniyoshi specialist, Robert Schaap, ‘Kuniyoshiproject.com, paintings, miscellaneous paintings’. Kuniyoshi is best known as one of the leading ukiyo-e printmakers of the first half of the 19th century. However, he studied the painting styles of the Tosa, Kanô and Maruyama schools. Ichiyûsai is one of his Gô, or artist names.