Puppet Performance, 1895

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 scene of two beauties performing a bunraku puppet play, with musical accompaniment by women playing a hand drum and shamisen. A folding screen with pine trees provides a nice backdrop behind the musicians. At upper left, the audience sits behind a fine blind. A charming subject with beautiful color and fine detail, including embossing on the white kimono collars and trim, and burnishing on the black lacquer trim of the screen.

Artist - Chikanobu (1838 - 1912)

Image Size - 13 7/8" x 27 3/4"

Condition - Nice color and good detail. Backed with paper. Small repair, a few small marks.