Lot 201: Yoshu Chikanobu (1838–1912) Fine Japanese Art

1896-1898 A complete set of 50 oban tate-ewoodblock prints of okubi-e (bust portraits) of beauties, titled Jidai kagami (Mirror of the Ages), documenting the fashions of former times (from the Keicho to the Meiji era) in chronological order, each sheet with a beautiful woman in sumptuous costume depicted at the lower section and a rectangular panel at the top which makes a reference to the era, some sheets with lacquer and embossed details, published by Matsuki Heikichi, variously dated Meiji 29, 30 and 31 (1896-8), all signed Yoshu Chikanobu, together with two prints indicating the title and showing the table of contents and a single page opening illustration of three ladies. Each sheet approx. 36cm x 23.7cm (14 1/8in x 9 3/8in). (53).

36cm x 23.7cm

: an English private collection.