Inside Chiyoda Palace album - Chikanobu - 1894

“Inside Chiyoda Palace”

“Chiyoda no ooku”

千代田の大奥

Toyohara Chikanobu (1838 – 1912)

Published by Fukuda Hatsujiro c1894-6

18 triptychs,1 Pentaptych and 1 Single image

(60 Oban sheets in total)

Album 35 x 24cm approx.

Oban format in double sided accordion album with decorative original silk covers. Generally very good condition with bright colours. Some stains and marks. Some ink crossing over to opposite pages. Some small tears at joins. Covers worn, images backed with some toning.

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 1868 Boshin war, 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 of Japanese traditions.

This 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.

This series focuses on the life of bijin – beautiful ladies of the court.  The album includes triptychs of Koto playing, Tea houses, Festivals and a scarce pentaptych of a wedding ceremony. Also included is one Chikanobu’s best triptychs – a night scene which depicts the ”Guard ladies of Chiyoda Palace”