Features a woodblock print by the well-known artist Toyohara Chikanobu (1838-1912) and dates from 1891

This scene by prolific ukiyo-e artist Toyohara Chikanobu (1838-1912) depicts a court lady beautifully adorned in her kimono, strolling through a scented garden on a warm summer's evening under the full moon. On the right, a young girl leans over the railing, while a woman plucks the strings of a koto (a 13-string zither) to accompany the stroller. Chikanobu's woodblock prints cover many common ukiyo-e subjects, but he is most famous for his portrayal of women's fashions, pastimes and customs.

About the Author:

Toyohara Chikanobu (1838-1912), also known as Yoshu Chikanobu, was a prolific ukiyo-e artist. He was born into a samurai family in Niigata Prefecture, but as the Shogunate fell, he turned to a life of art. Though not as widely known as many of his contemporaries, Chikanobu's work had an immense cultural impact. Only in recent years has his work garnered the appropriate appreciation among historians and art collectors. His woodblock prints cover many common ukiyo-e subjects, but he is most famous for his portrayal of women's fashions, pastimes and customs.