Kobayashi Kiyochika (1847–1915)
The Tenmei Era (Tenmei no koro), from the series Floral Patterns (Hana moyo), 1896, 3rd month
Woodblock print, embellished with metallic pigments and burnishing
Vertical oban, triptych (each sheet):
35.4 x 23.9 cm.
14 x 9 3/8 in.
35.4 x 23.9 cm.
14 x 9 3/8 in.
Signed: Kiyochika
Sealed: Kobayashi Kiyochika
Publisher: Takekawa Seikichi (publisher and date details trimmed on this impression)
Sealed: Kobayashi Kiyochika
Publisher: Takekawa Seikichi (publisher and date details trimmed on this impression)
£ 1,250.00
Further images
Ten triptychs are known in this series, each featuring women of a particular historical period which is stated in each print title, against a backdrop of customs also associated with...
Ten triptychs are known in this series, each featuring women of a particular historical period which is stated in each print title, against a backdrop of customs also associated with that particular era.
"The Tenmei Era" features a beauty holding a mirror in order to apply make-up to her face. Her kimono is elaborately decorated with scenes from The Tale of Genji (Genji monogatari). In the background are a group of figures associated with the Yoshiwara pleasure quarters - a samurai guest disguising himself under a sedge hat, a courtesan behind him, and three further figures, one with a shakuhachi flute tucked behind his back.
For a similar impression in the collection of the The National Museum of Asian Art, Smithsonian, Washington, accession no. S2003.8.2562, go to: https://asia.si.edu/object/S2003.8.2562/
"The Tenmei Era" features a beauty holding a mirror in order to apply make-up to her face. Her kimono is elaborately decorated with scenes from The Tale of Genji (Genji monogatari). In the background are a group of figures associated with the Yoshiwara pleasure quarters - a samurai guest disguising himself under a sedge hat, a courtesan behind him, and three further figures, one with a shakuhachi flute tucked behind his back.
For a similar impression in the collection of the The National Museum of Asian Art, Smithsonian, Washington, accession no. S2003.8.2562, go to: https://asia.si.edu/object/S2003.8.2562/