Delighted: the appearance of a geisha today, during the Meiji era, No. 31

by Yoshitoshi (1839 - 1892)

Current Status

Delighted: the appearance of a geisha today, during the Meiji era, No. 31  by Yoshitoshi (1839 - 1892)

Original Yoshitoshi (1839 - 1892) Japanese Woodblock Print
Delighted: the appearance of a geisha today, during the Meiji era, No. 31

Series; Thirty-Two Aspects of Women (Fuzoku sanjuniso)

Yoshitoshi's Thirty-two Aspects of Women - Yoshitoshi's finest series of bijin-ga or pictures of beautiful women, "Thirty-two Aspects of Women" features portraits of beauties in a lighthearted reference to the thirty-two notable features of Buddha. The women depicted come from all social classes, representing beauties from the late 18th century through Yoshitoshi's own time.

Each design captures a woman in a scene from daily life, realistically and sensitively portrayed as individuals rather than idealized figures. Elegant fabrics are beautifully rendered, and hairstyles and facial features are drawn with the most delicate of lines. The series was beautifully printed using deluxe techniques, such as soft bokashi shading, embossing, and burnishing, creating some of the finest prints of the Meiji era.

"Thirty-two Aspects" proved popular with the public when first published, and has been appreciated by viewers and collectors ever since. Designs in this fantastic series are some of the most highly sought after woodblocks of the Meiji era, and are certainly considered masterworks of Yoshitoshi's career.

Delighted: the appearance of a geisha today, during the Meiji era, No. 31 - Lovely image of a young geisha at a firefly party, with insect lighting up the night sky overhead. She has just knocked a firefly down with her fan, and quickly grips the fan between her teeth to leave her hands free to capture the insect. She wears a light, open-weave silk kimono, perfect for the summer months, the sheer fabric revealing the outline of her arm beneath the cloth. A few strands of hair blow gently across her face in the evening breeze. Nice embossed detail on the ribs of the fan. A beautiful, classic ukiyo-e image.

Artist - Yoshitoshi (1839 - 1892)

Image Size - 14" x 9 1/4" + margins

Condition - This print with excellent color, a good impression. Minor remnants from previous mounting on reverse. Please see photos for details.

Delighted: the appearance of a geisha today, during the Meiji era, No. 31  by Yoshitoshi (1839 - 1892)
Delighted: the appearance of a geisha today, during the Meiji era, No. 31  by Yoshitoshi (1839 - 1892)

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