Maiko — 舞
- Medium:
- Woodblock print
- Source:
- Japanese Art Open Database
Typical Price
Beauty subjects are especially sought after in this category. Key value factors: As self-carved and self-printed works, sosaku-hanga value is tied to the artist's reputation and edition size. Larger formats, earlier editions, and historically significant works command the highest prices.
- Common examples: $100–$500
- Good impressions: $500–$2,000
- Premium/scarce: $2,000–$10,000
Description
Maiko depicts an apprentice geisha, the young women who train in Kyoto's traditional entertainment districts before graduating to full geisha status. The Japanese character for dance in the title reflects the maiko's primary art form. Maeda Toshiro's woodblock captures the distinctive appearance that makes maiko instantly recognizable: elaborate hair ornaments, trailing obi, white-painted face, and the particular palette of their formal kimono. The print belongs to the [bijin-ga](/glossary/bijin-ga) tradition but focuses on a specific social role rather than abstract beauty, documenting a living cultural practice that has continued in Kyoto's geisha districts for centuries.
