Hotoke-gozen - Fantastic triptych from a series depicting beauties from different historical periods, this one showing the beauty Hotoke-gozen traveling to join the sisters Gio and Gijo, who had become nuns. Both sisters were popular shirabyoshi dancers in Kyoto, and Gio was a special favorite of Taira no Kiyomori. When Kiyomori fell in love with a new dancer named Hotoke-gozen, Gio was forced to retire against her will, becoming a nun along with her sister and mother in Saga. Later, Hotoke left Kiyomori to join the sisters and become a nun as well. She is shown arriving in Saga on a cold winter day, her head wrapped in a sheer white silk scarf, a few wisps of hair blowing loose beside her face. The three nuns wait for her on an open verandah, huddled in cloaks and scarves, a vase of delicate purple flowers set out to welcome her. Bare grasses wave in the gray winter sky behind them. A beautiful composition with the large format figure framing the scene. A truly striking woodblock print that would make an attractive display. Includes burnishing in the hair and an embossed pattern on the white collar.

Artist - Kiyochika (1847 - 1915)

Image Size - 28 1/4" x 14 1/8"

Condition - This triptych with excellent color and detail. Three separate panels. A few small holes repaired from reverse. Please see photos for details. Nice overall.