Beauties Watching Koi

by Chikanobu (1838 - 1912)

Current Status

Beauties Watching Koi by Chikanobu (1838 - 1912)

Original Chikanobu (1838 - 1912) Japanese Woodblock Print
Beauties Watching Koi

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.

Beauties Watching Koi - Lovely design of upper class beauties enjoying a spring day in the garden, watching as a large koi leaps out of the water. One woman pauses as she walks across the stepping stones of a narrow stream, looking over her shoulder as the fish leaps up towards the trailing wisteria blossoms. Two other carp swim in the delicately shaded water below. She wears kimono bordered with fans and morning glories, the white lining delicately embossed with an intricate pattern. Two beauties watch from the shore, a shrub covered with yellow blossoms behind them. A charming scene with beautiful color in the rich fabrics and fine detail in the intricate scales of the fish. A great subject.

Artist - Chikanobu (1838 - 1912)

Image Size - 14" x 28"

Condition - This print with good color and detail as shown. Three separate panels, backed with paper. Light vertical lines at sides where backing papers meet, a few small marks. Please see photos for details.

Beauties Watching Koi by Chikanobu (1838 - 1912)
Beauties Watching Koi by Chikanobu (1838 - 1912)

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