Near perfect condition. There are no stains, holes, tears, or creases. The colors remain vivid, and the printed lines are exceptionally sharp. Measuring approximately 52 × 34.5 cm, this large-format reproduction is an impressive display piece.
This high-quality Japanese woodblock reproduction was produced during the 1950s as part of a postwar educational series preserving celebrated ukiyo-e masterpieces. The original design was created by Utagawa Kunisada around 1850–1855 and was reproduced under the direction of Hara Shōjirō.
The composition depicts an elegantly dressed court lady wearing a tall ceremonial headdress (kammuri) adorned with clusters of blue flowers. She delicately holds the chin cord of her headdress while dressed in an elaborate kimono decorated with cherry blossoms and geometric blue patterns. Behind her, blooming cherry trees, a temple bell, and a distant five-story pagoda create a refined springtime setting inspired by the classical beauty of old Kyoto.
The unusually tall ceremonial headdress identifies the figure as a woman portrayed in classical imperial court attire, a subject that became increasingly popular in Kunisada's later career. Rather than illustrating a specific historical event, the composition evokes the elegance and sophistication of Japan's aristocratic past through costume, seasonal imagery, and idealized feminine beauty.
Kunisada frequently blended theatrical costume design with graceful bijin-ga, producing prints that appealed to admirers of both Kabuki and classical court culture. His meticulous attention to textile patterns and decorative detail made him the leading designer of beautiful women during the late Edo period.
Although not an original nineteenth-century impression, this is an authentic 1950s Japanese educational woodblock reproduction produced to preserve and share Japan's artistic heritage using traditional printing techniques. These postwar editions remain highly regarded for faithfully recreating the appearance and craftsmanship of the original ukiyo-e.
