Chikanobu - “Inside Chiyoda Palace” - silk bound ukiyoe album - 1894

 “Inside Chiyoda Palace”

“Chiyoda no ooku”

千代田の大奥

Toyohara Chikanobu (1838 – 1912)

Published by Fukuda Hatsujiro c1894-6

12 Oban triptychs (36 Oban sheets in total)

Oban format in double sided accordion album with beautiful and decorative original silk covers.

Album 35 x 24cm approx.

 Very good condition with bright colours. images backed with minimal toning. Some marks to images.

Chikanobu is one of the best known artists of the Meiji period (1868-1912). Born a samurai, he fought for the shogunate against modernisation in the Boshin war in 1868, a precursor to the satsuma rebellion. In 1874, Chikanobu become an artist and studied under Kuniyoshi and Kunisada. He is known for his “modern” and Western  interpretation on Japanese traditions.

The series covers events at Edo Castle in Chiyoda, Tokyo. During the period the series was produced, it was forbidden to depict the ruling Tokugawa family, and this series allowed a glimpse into life around the palace and royal family.

The album includes 12 triptychs of traditional scenes around the Chiyoda Castle – mostly involving Bijin (beautiful women). It was a well produced series at the time with well designed scenes that were popular at home and abroad.

Scenes include a Japanese tea ceremonies, Noa theatre actors, and festival scenes (Kanda). Flora themes are popular throughout the series with Wisteria, Irises, chrysanthemum and autumn scenes among the images. The Bijin are shown in beautiful silk kimonos with extensive use of vivid colours, bokashi (graded colouring), and texture.