MAIKO (Autumn)

This print depicts a maiko, an apprentice geiko of the Kyoto hanamachi, rendered in the [bijin-ga](/glossary/bijin-ga) tradition that Sadanobu III's family had long practiced in Osaka. Seasonal prints of maiko were a sustained genre in Kansai woodblock production, and an autumn subject would likely position the figure against maple foliage, chrysanthemums, or the muted tones associated with the season. The maiko's elaborately tied obi, long trailing hikizuri kimono, and distinctive kanzashi hairpin ornaments would be rendered with careful attention to textile pattern, likely requiring multiple separate keyblocks. [Bokashi](/glossary/bokashi) gradations may appear in the background or sky. This print is part of a multi-season series that positions Sadanobu III within the Kyoto seasonal figure tradition.