Choki
Tsukasa-Dayu of the Hiaashi-Ogiya
Woodblock
38 x 26cm
Framed

Beautiful old reprint portrait of the courtesan Tsukasa-dayu from the Shinmachi pleasure district in Osaka. She holds her kimono sleeve up to her face as she looks over her shoulder, smiling slightly. Elegantly drawn with flowing line work and delicate embossed detail in the tie-dyed under robe, with a dusting of mica over the background. A classic ukiyo-e beauty design, rarely seen in reprint.

In the 20th century, artists and publishers collaborated to recreate famous woodblock prints for interested Japanese collectors and Westerners looking for rare designs. New blocks were made, and the prints were painstakingly printed by artisan printers in the same method as the 19th century originals - one block for each colour. Woodblock reprints are an opportunity to collect and enjoy a famous design at a small fraction of the price of an original.

Information for buyers