Seven Flowers of Autumn — Bijin meisho awase

From the Bijin meisho awase series, this print pairs a bijin with the seven flowers of autumn (aki no nanakusa), the classically designated group of autumn-blooming plants that includes bush clover (hagi), silver grass (susuki), kudzu, pink (nadeshiko), patrinia (ominaeshi), eupatorium (fujibakama), and balloon flower (kikyo). The composition would integrate botanical and figural elements, with the woman's posture and gaze directed toward or through the autumn plants that surround her. Gekko's series format allows for seasonal variety across its prints, and the autumn flower subject would have appeared alongside spring cherry blossom and summer lotus episodes. The bijin meisho awase prints are typically oban vertical format, a format that accommodates both full-length figure depictions and generous landscape or botanical backgrounds. Layered pigment printing gives depth to the varied textures of the autumn plants.