Geisha - 1
by Shima Seien
- Medium:
- Woodblock print
- Format:
- Oban
- Source:
- Japanese Art Open Database
by Shima Seien
$500–$5,000. Common subjects: $500–$1,500. Key value factors: Shima Seien's work is less well-known internationally, making her prints relatively affordable. Quality examples are collectible.
A geisha, the highly trained entertainer whose arts include dance, music, conversation, and the elaborate presentation of traditional dress, is the subject of this [oban](/glossary/oban) woodblock print. The numerical designation "1" suggests this is the first in a series exploring geisha subjects. Seien renders the geisha with attention to the specific visual markers of the profession: the elaborate hairstyle, the white-painted face and neck, the carefully arranged kimono with its obi tied in the distinctive style reserved for geisha. The woodblock medium's capacity for rendering textile patterns through carved detail makes the kimono a showcase of technical skill, with each color layer adding another element to the fabric's visual complexity.
Curated cross-cuts that include this print.
Geisha - 1 was created by Shima Seien (島成園).
Geisha - 1 depicts bijin-ga.
