Eastern Brocades, Day and Night Compared - Designed in 1886, Chikanobu's extraordinary "Eastern Brocade" series features a fantastic range of subjects, including brave warriors, eerie ghosts, timeless beauties, and famous figures from traditional tales of triumph and treachery. These beautiful images bring the history and legends of Japan to life with colorful characters and a wonderful attention to detail. Note the appealing compositions and fine printing in these Meiji era masterworks, many of which include deluxe treatments such as burnishing, embossing, or the addition of mica. These attractive designs are a nice choice to collect or display.

Courtesan Jigoku (the Hell Courtesan), No. 43 - Great portrait of the courtesan Jigoku-dayu (literally Hell Courtesan) strolling at New Year's accompanied by her two komuro or child apprentices. She was converted to a religious life by Priest Ikkyu, who was most well-known for holding a staff with a skull attached to remind holiday revelers of the inevitability of death. Her kimono and those of her attendants are decorated with images of hell, including Emma, god of the underworld, and demons surrounded by flames. In the top image, the Priest Ikkyu is shown vomiting fish into the water after drinking too much wine. Wonderful embossed detail on the white kimono trim and the fly whisk.

Artist - Chikanobu (1838 - 1912)

Image Size - 13 1/8" x 9" + margins as shown

Condition - This print with excellent color and detail as shown. Paper remnant and stain at edges. A couple folds at edges. Please see photos for details.