CHIKANOBU YOSHU: AN ALBUM OF WOOD BLOCK PRINTS, 1896
Japan. A total of thirty prints, fifteen to each side, titled 'The inner palace of Chiyoda' (Chiyoda no Oo-oku), depicting in vibrant colors the daily activities of women who resided in the secluded palace, with detailed patterned kimonos being a prominent feature of many of the prints. Signed Chikanobu Yoshu.

Provenance: German private collection.
Condition: Very good condition with wear, a few tears, and creasing.

Dimensions: Size 36 x 24 x 2 cm

During the Edo period it was forbidden to publish images of the ruling Tokugawa family or events connected to the Tokugawa clan. With the Meiji restoration came a relaxation of those laws and the public was finally able to indulge in images that portrayed the ruling family, their daily life and activities and historical events related to them.

Chikanobu Yoshu was one of the most prolific woodblock print artists of the late 19th century, working with both traditional subjects, such as actors, courtesans, famous sites, beautiful women, and with topical subjects, such as war and rebellion. Born into a samurai family in Echigo province, Chikanobu became one of the final, great, ukiyo-e artists aiming to preserve the traditional culture of Japan at a time when the country was becoming rapidly modernized.