Vrouw met shamisen 1823

"Vrouw met shamisen" is an ukiyo-e woodblock print by Totoya Hokkei, created in 1823. It depicts a woman in a black kimono and a colorful patterned undergarment, holding a shamisen (a three-stringed Japanese musical instrument). The artist's signature, "蓮池堂叙子" (Renchido Juko), is visible in the lower right corner. This print, now housed in the Rijksmuseum, is a prime example of Hokkei's masterful use of detail and dynamic composition. The woman's elegant posture and the intricate designs of her clothing convey the refined beauty of Japanese aesthetics. The soft, pastel colors and the use of swirling lines and circles add to the overall sense of movement and grace.