Looking Inquisitive: The Appearance of a Maid of the Tenpo Era (Mitaso Tenpo nenkan okosho no fuzoku), from the series Thirty-two Aspects of Customs and Manners (Fuzoku sanjuni so), 1888
Fine impression of the 1st edition with tricolour cartouche. Very good colour, also with blind-printing and 'shomenzuri' (surface printing) - a technique of surface polishing or burnishing. A small hole restored in the upper section, slight toning and a few light marks at top edge. Very good overall condition.
The woman depicted here is an okosho - a maid in the service of a samurai family. She appears to be spying on something going on within a room with sliding bamboo doors. She is dressed in a pink kimono with a delicate design of morning glories. Another impression is in the collection of The Minneapolis Museum of Art, accession no. 2017.106.205, go to: https://collections.artsmia.org/art/127937/appearing-inquisitive-tsukioka-yoshitoshi
