Puppet Performance, 1895

by Chikanobu (1838 - 1912)

Current Status

Puppet Performance, 1895 by Chikanobu (1838 - 1912)

Original Chikanobu (1838 - 1912) Japanese Woodblock Print
Puppet Performance, 1895

Series; Chiyoda Inner Palace (Chiyoda no Ooku)

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.

Puppet Performance, 1895 - Wonderful print of two beauties performing a bunraku puppet play, with other beauties playing a hand drum and shamisen for musical accompaniment. A folding screen with pine trees provides a nice backdrop. The audience sits behind a bamboo blind at upper left. A charming print with beautiful color and fine detail, including embossing on the white collars and kimono trim and silver mica on the border of the folding screen at upper right.

Artist - Chikanobu (1838 - 1912)

Image Size - 14 1/4" x 28 1/4" + margins as shown

Condition - This print with excellent color and detail as shown. Three separate panels. Small wormhole, a few small holes, repaired. A few creases and small marks. Please see photos for details.

Puppet Performance, 1895 by Chikanobu (1838 - 1912)
Puppet Performance, 1895 by Chikanobu (1838 - 1912)

Auction Rules and guidelines

This Auction Falls Under Our Standard Auction Rules and Guidelines

If you are a new bidder, please read the Rules and Guidelines page before bidding.