Saisoro, from an untitled series of No plays 1823

"Saisoro" is an 1823 woodblock print by Takashima Chiharu (1777-1859), depicting a figure from a No play in traditional Japanese garb. The figure is depicted with a dignified bearing, holding a staff with a bird perched upon it. The delicate lines and soft colors typical of Chiharu's style, along with the figure's carefully rendered attire, showcase the refined aesthetic of Japanese theatrical art. This print, now part of the Art Institute of Chicago collection, highlights the artist's skill in capturing the beauty and emotion of No drama through the medium of woodblock printing.