Chiyoda Inner Palace - First published from 1894 - 1897, Chikanobu's "Chiyoda Inner Palace" (Chiyoda no Ooku) series depicts the lives of women in Edo Castle prior to the Meiji Restoration, when it was home to the shogun and his court. Edo Castle was also known as Chiyoda Castle, and the series includes 40 triptychs. The Inner Palace area housed the shogun's wife and unmarried daughters, his male heir, and many ladies-in-waiting and servants. These lovely triptychs illustrate seasonal activities both inside and outside of the women's private quarters, and a variety of ceremonies, rituals, and pastimes. The beauties are elegantly attired as they go about their daily lives, with wonderful attention and detail given to their sumptuous kimono and obi fabrics. Many designs include deluxe printing techniques such as burnishing, embossing, and mica or metallic pigment. Chikanobu's lovely "Chiyoda Inner Palace" series beautifully captures the world of upper-class women in mid-nineteenth century Japan.

Playing a Poetry Card Game, 1895 - Interesting triptych of the palace women sitting on the floor playing a game of cards that involves matching lines of poems, with the deck spread out before them. The older matron at far right wears glasses attached with cords around her ears. An attractive scene with Chikanobu's characteristic attention to detail and beautiful fabric patterns and colors. Fine embossing on the white kimono trim and the woman's white hair. A charming design.

Artist - Chikanobu (1838 - 1912

Image Size - 14 3/8" x 28 3/8" + margins as shown

Condition - This print with excellent detail as shown. Three separate panels. A couple small tears at edge, tiny loss at corner, repaired. Slight toning, soiling, and creasing, a few spots. Please see photos for details.