In the Style of a Page (Kosho fu), Center Sheet of Triptych (Sanpukutsui chu) c. 1730

This woodblock print from the Edo period, “In the Style of a Page (Kosho fu), Center Sheet of Triptych (Sanpukutsui chu)” by Nishimura Shigenaga, depicts a woman in elaborate attire. The intricate details of her kimono and patterned obi showcase the artist’s mastery of the ukiyo-e style. The woman’s pose and the composition of the print convey a sense of elegance and refinement, characteristic of the genre, which depicted the beauty of everyday life. The work, now housed in the Art Institute of Chicago, offers a glimpse into the fashion and aesthetics of 18th-century Japan.