Toyohara Chikanobu, "Evacuating Chiyoda Castle"

A stunning and highly sought-after design by Chikanobu from his "Chiyoda Inner Palace" series of triptychs show the guardian women (onna-musha) of Chiyoda Palace (Edo Castle) guarding an evacuation during a fire, likely in 1844. The women wear matching kimono and are wielding naginata, while their lead sits atop a horse. The Inner Palace was off limits to all men, except the Shogun, his wife, concubines, and his heir. A marvelously rare design. 

Series: Chiyoda Inner Palace
Date: 1896
Size: Oban Triptych
Publisher: Fukuda Hatsujiro
Condition: Excellent color and condition

Toyohara Chikanobu (1838-1912) was one of the Meiji-period’s most prolific and well-known master woodblock printmakers, particularly in the genre of beautiful women prints (bijin-ga). His woodblock prints exemplify the skill and craftsmanship of woodblock printmaking following height of ukiyo-e in the Edo period.