Hair in disarray

A second print sharing the title 'Hair in disarray' (midaregami) suggests either a companion piece, an alternate state, or a variant impression of a related composition. Pairs and series with shared titles are common in mokuhanga, where artists explored a single subject through multiple framings — different poses, viewpoints, or color schemes. Without direct comparison of the two impressions it is not possible to specify how this print differs, but variant treatments of the midaregami subject often shift the figure's orientation, alter the patterning of the kimono, or change the depth of the keyblock impression for the hair, producing a different mood from the first print. Carving the fine hair lines required for this subject is among the more demanding tasks in mokuhanga production, and slight differences in registration or pressure can change the apparent texture of the hair. In Taki Shusui's larger body of work, paired or repeated titles indicate sustained interest in the subject rather than mere reproduction.