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.

Tanabata Festival - Charming triptych of young beauties celebrating the Tanabata or Star Festival, which honors the annual meeting of Vega (the weaver) and Altair (the herds boy) in the night sky on July 7, two stars separated by the Milky Way the rest of the year. A young girl decorates bamboo branches with poems and wishes written on colorful slips of paper, and the beauty in the center carries a tray of sweet buns. Detailed with embossing on the white kimono collars and trim. An attractive depiction of this Japanese celebration. We seldom see this Chikanobu design.

Artist - Chikanobu (1838 - 1912)

Image Size - 14" x 28"

Condition - This print with good color and detail as shown. Three separate panels. A few spots, slight ink offsetting. Please see photos for details.