Comments - Intriguing group portrait of court beauties from different eras gathered in a palace interior. Four of the women are from the Heian era, wearing colorful outer robes bordered with a green and black geometric print over white kimono tucked into red hakama pants. Their long hair is worn loose and falling over the shoulders with a few shorter locks at the neck. The other three are contemporary Meiji beauties, two with long ponytails, and one a princess with a cluster of tiny blue flowers atop her head. At bottom center, the princess holds up a poem slip, while another beauty sits at a low writing desk with a brush in hand ands paper spread out before her. At lower right, another woman reads a book as she mixes ink on a stone. A black lacquer cart holds a wicker basket with an arrangement of chrysanthemums, peonies, irises and maple branches with bright autumn foliage. A handsome design with lively color and wonderful detail, including embossing in the white kimono and burnishing in the cart and the simulated black lacquer frame.

Artist - Kunichika (1835 - 1900)

Image Size - 13 5/8" x 27 7/8" + margins as shown

Condition - This print with excellent color and detail as shown. Three separate panels. A few creases, slight soiling. Please see photos for details. Nice overall.