Lady of the Kanbun Era (1661-72)

A print depicting a lady of the Kanbun era (1661–72) — the early Tokugawa period when the shogunate was consolidating its authority over the imperial court and when Edo (Tokyo) was beginning its transformation into one of the world's largest cities. The Kanbun era's visual culture was characterized by the elegant, flowing lines of early Edo-period kimono design, before the later elaboration of pattern and ornament. Chikanobu's historical lady from this period would represent the earlier, simpler refinement that preceded the baroque richness of the Genroku style.