Comments - Lovely court scene of Heian era beauties at the Imperial Palace enjoying poems on a snowy day. In the center, a woman raises a fine reed blind that looks out onto a snow-covered garden framed by a blossoming plum tree. At left, a woman unrolls a letter, while at right a beauty sits at a low table writing a verse on a sheet of paper. Shelves at right hold stacks of scrolls, books, and a lacquer box. Beautiful color and detail in the elegant fabrics and household furnishings. Includes delicate embossing in the white kimono trim. This print is unsigned. It may be a later edition of an earlier design by Chikanobu, but some background elements have been changed and the text, title, and signature cartouches have been removed, so we are not sure. Either way, it is an attractive Meiji era beauty triptych.
Artist - Meiji era artist (unsigned)
Image Size - 14 1/8" x 28" + margins as shown
Condition - This print with excellent color and detail as shown. Three attached panels. Vertical folds. Slight thinning along fold, repaired. A few marks and creases. Please see photos for details.