Kobushō Kasei from the Series Thirty-Six Restaurants In New Tokyo 1835 - 1868

"Kobushō Kasei" is a woodblock print by Toyohara Kunichika, one of the most prominent artists of the late Edo period. This print is from the series "Thirty-Six Restaurants in New Tokyo" (1835-1868), and features a pair of women, their intimate postures and suggestive gaze hinting at a romantic relationship. Kunichika masterfully uses vibrant colors and meticulous detail, capturing the beauty and elegance of traditional Japanese fashion and architecture, with the scene set in a richly decorated interior with lattice screens, intricate patterns on the floor, and a delicate maple tree outside. This work showcases the artistic skill and cultural context of Edo-period woodblock printing, a popular art form that depicted scenes from everyday life.