Squeaking a Ground Cherry

Woodblock Prints Title: Ground Cherry, from the series Seven Useless Habits (Fûryû nakute nana kuse)

Publication: 1798

Size: Vertical ôban; 38.4 x 25.4 cm (15 1/8 x 10 in.)

Publisher: Tsutaya Jûzaburô (Kôshodô)

Signature: Kakô ga

Notes: Large head portraits of two woman, one of them using a ground cherry to make a squeaking noise by gently compressing her lips.

Mica on the background of the print.

The influence of Sharaku and Utamaro is clearly shown in this print, but the style is assimilated rather than copied.

Original: Estimated Value: ref # OS7UH1

Other Versions:

1/ Mokuhansha Takamizawa's Replica 1930's

Images 1 & 2 are the replica, image 3 is the original for comparison.



An easy way to identify this replica is from the missing hair meche on each woman. (See highlighted section of pic 2)

Estimated Value: ref # OS7UH1b

2/ Adachi's Replica 1925's Edition

Images 1 & 2 are the replica, image 3 is the original for comparison.



An easy way to identify this replica is from the missing yellow background section omitted, probably because the model used was trimmed. (See highlighted section of pic 2)

3/ Kobayashi Bunshichi's Replica Early 1900's

Images 1 & 2 are the replica, image 3 is the original for comparison. Although this is a very well reproduced copy, there is an easy way to distinguish the original from the replica :

1/ The original has 3 branches of dark pink, the copy has only 2 branches
2/ The bottom roots are much thicker in the replica than the original
3/ The original has a diamond type of shape, as the replica has a triangle type of shape
4/ There are more teeth in the replica than in the original
5/ Bears Kobayashi Bunshichi' seal on the lower right corner. Someone has attempted to hide it on this print, most likely to attempt to sell it as an original, but here is what the seal look like :