Shinsui is Japan's preeminent shin-hanga bijin-ga master. His "Modern Beauties" and related series remain in strong demand, with provenance from notable collections (Freddie Mercury's collection appeared at Sotheby's 2023) adding premium value.
A woman in Western dress—a modern suit, coat, or dress of European cut rather than the kimono that dominates Shinsui's typical [bijin-ga](/glossary/bijin-ga) work—is shown in this undated print. The "Lady in Western Costume" subject appeared throughout the Taisho and early Showa periods as Japanese women increasingly adopted elements of Western dress, and printmakers documented this cultural shift with varying degrees of approval or ambivalence. Shinsui's treatment, characteristically, is more curious than judgmental—he observes the phenomenon with the same careful attention he brings to kimono.
Curated cross-cuts that include this print.
Lady in Western Costume was created by Ito Shinsui (伊東深水).
Lady in Western Costume was published by Watanabe Shozaburo.
Lady in Western Costume depicts figures, bijin-ga, and portraits.
