Eastern Brocades, Day and Night Compared - Designed in 1886, Chikanobu's extraordinary "Eastern Brocade" series features a fantastic range of subjects, including brave warriors, eerie ghosts, timeless beauties, and famous figures from traditional tales of triumph and treachery. These beautiful images bring the history and legends of Japan to life with colorful characters and a wonderful attention to detail. Note the appealing compositions and fine printing in these Meiji era masterworks, many of which include deluxe treatments such as burnishing, embossing, or the addition of mica. These attractive designs are a nice choice to collect or display.

Swimming at Okazaki, No. 16 - Fantastic illustration of the beautiful Oai no kata, a peasant woman born in Okazaki. A man tried to assault her one day while she was swimming in the river, but the strong young beauty easily defeated him, earning praise from the Shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu for her courage. In this scene she sends her attacker tumbling head over heels through the water as she swims towards the shore, her long hair flowing over her back. Her colorful kimono are draped over a willow tree at right, the foliage gracefully trailing over the water. The inset at upper left shows Oai no kata wrestling with another aggressor. Beautiful handling of the water, which is dusted with shimmering mica. A wonderful image with lovely color and fine detail.

Artist - Chikanobu (1838 - 1912)

Image Size - 13" x 8 3/4" + margins as shown

Condition - With excellent color and detail. A few small holes repaired from reverse. Some soiling and rubbing at edges. Please see photos for details. Good overall.