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.

Parading Pounded Rice Cakes, 1895 - Wonderful triptych of young palace beauties watching a festival parade from a verandah. Giant mochi or rice cakes on floats are paraded through the streets in celebration of the New Year, pulled along by dozens of men dressed in matching robes. Two young girls gesture and smile at the antics of a group of entertainers dancing about at left, one of them wearing a lobster atop his head. Lovely color and detail in the sumptuous kimono fabrics, with delicate embossing on the white kimono trim. This image appears on page 172 of Bruce A. Coats's book "Chikanobu: Images of Modernity and Nostalgia." A wonderful look at this festive holiday celebration.

Artist - Chikanobu (1838 - 1912)

Image Size - 14 1/8" x 28 1/8" + margins as shown

Condition - This print with excellent color and detail as shown. Three separate panels. A couple small losses at edges, repaired. Slight toning and creasing, staining. Please see photos for details.