No Series Maiko

A second standalone maiko portrait by Terashima Shimei, this woodblock print depicts a different apprentice geisha or the same figure in an alternate pose or costume. The maiko tradition requires seasonal changes in dress and accessories, so even two prints of the same subject can look markedly different depending on the month depicted. This particular impression may show the maiko from a different angle, in a contrasting kimono pattern, or engaged in a different activity such as adjusting a hair ornament or holding a fan. The woodblock printing process requires separate carved blocks for each color, and a complex maiko portrait with multiple kimono patterns and hair ornament colors might use ten or more blocks in sequence. Terashima's sustained interest in this subject reflects both its commercial popularity and the endless compositional variations it permits.