Description
A precious triptych of polychrome woodblock prints made in 1880 by the artist Toyohara Chikanobu (豊原周延) and depicting the imperial court. The work is entitled “Representation of the Nobles Watching the Sunrise from a Tower” (高貴楼上日ノ出の図) and was produced by the publisher Yamamura Kinzaburo (山村金三郎) and the carver Ginjiro (銀次郎).
At the center of the scene the emperor Meiji (明治天皇), who was usually portrayed by the artist in full uniform according to Western style, is presented here in a singular and rare Far East version while wearing a dress decorated with dragons and a traditional crown benkan (冕冠).
The prints on Japanese washi paper (和紙), despite the right signs of aging, are in very good general condition.
