Geisha and peacock

Yashima Gakutei designed Geisha and Peacock as a [surimono](/glossary/surimono) pairing two of Edo culture's most ornamental subjects: a beautifully attired geisha and the spectacular tail of a peacock. The undated print is preserved by the Victoria and Albert Museum, which holds an extensive Gakutei collection.

The composition juxtaposes the curving silhouette of the geisha — her long-sleeved furisode or formal kimono spread in cascading folds — with the iridescent fan of the peacock's eye-spotted feathers. Gakutei treats both subjects as opportunities for virtuoso color work: the geisha's robe carries patterned brocades that may include floral and geometric motifs, while the peacock's tail is rendered with concentric ovals that catch the printer's attention through careful overprinting and possibly metallic accents. The figures complement rather than compete, balancing the human and animal beauty into a single decorative unit.