Kitagawa Utamaro (1754–1806), a woodblock print from the series “Rivalry at the Spring of True Love” (Jitsu kurabe iro no Minakami) Nishiki-e woodblock print, ink and pigments on paper, oban tate e format, featuring Kamiya Jihei and Kinokuniya Koharu. Inspired by a true story from 1720, the lovers Koharu and Jihei became the heroes of a famous drama adapted for both bunraku puppet theater and kabuki. A married merchant from Osaka and a courtesan from the Kinokuniya house in the Sonezaki Shinchi pleasure quarter committed suicide together at Daichō-ji Temple on Amijima. The print depicts their nighttime walk toward death, suggested by the gray background. Jihei lights the way with a lantern while Koharu pulls her black veil over her face. Circa 1798–1799. Signed Utamaro hitsu. Published by Nishimuraya Yohachi (Eijudo). Kiwame censorship seal. 38.1 x 25.8 cm Heavily backed; traces of restoration; repaired wormholes; stains; sun-faded.