Before the Mirror (Kagami no mae)

The Japanese subtitle "Kagami no mae" translates directly as "before the mirror," confirming the subject of this oban woodblock print. The composition likely shows a woman seated at a low dressing table, or kyodai, with a standing mirror reflecting her face back to the viewer. Traditional Japanese mirrors were polished metal discs, though by the 20th century glass mirrors were common, and their reflective surface could be suggested in the print through subtle color and tonal shifts. Hirano Hakuho may depict the woman applying makeup, adjusting a hair ornament, or simply gazing at her own reflection in a moment of quiet self-assessment. The kyodai and its accessories, including combs, pins, and cosmetic containers, would provide secondary subjects within the composition, each requiring its own carved block and color to render accurately in the print.