Comments - Lovely portrait of the maidservant Otake Dainichi Nyorai working in the kitchen, preparing food. Otake faithfully served the Sakuma family in Odenma-cho in Edo, even taking care with the smallest tasks. A group of ascetics had been searching for the reincarnation of the Dainichi Nyorai Buddha, and when they saw Otake bending forward to pick up some rice, a halo of light appeared around her head, leading the ascetics to believe that she was a divine being. Here, she smiles as she separates what looks like garlic into cloves, kneeling beside a shallow wooden tub. A round basket leaning against the wall behind her frames her face, looking like a halo. Her true nature is reflected in the water basin at lower left. An attractive design with a sweetly expressive figure and a nicely detailed setting.

Artist - Kuniyoshi (1797 - 1861)

Image Size - 13 3/8" x 9 1/4"

Condition - This print with excellent detail as shown. Paper remnants on reverse from previous backing. Thinning and small losses at edges, stitching holes at side, repaired. Slight toning, soiling, and rubbing, a few creases. Please see photos for details. Good overall.