tryptiques de format ôban tate-e, Oban triptych monté en album (35,5 x 23,5 cm) 10 Tryptiques de format ôban tate-e montés en album (35,5 x 23,5 cm) de la série Chiyoda no ôoku (36,6 x 70,5 cm) An album of 10 ôban triptychs of three panels each, attached at the seams, backed with paper. Each colour woodblock print: 36.6 x 70.5 cm, Attractive patterned, coloured cloth boards, in good condition. Chikanobu was possibly one of the finest printmakers of Meiji Japan. He was born into the Hashimoto Samurai family in the Echigo province. He began studies with the great ukiyo-e masters, Utagawa Kuniyoshi and Utagawa Toyokuni III (Kunisada), and later with Toyohara Kunichika, he became one of the most prominent among the latter's students. Throughout his career, Chikanobu also used names such as 'Chikanobu Hashimoto.' 1. Japanese beauties watch from their seated positions as another lady brings forth a tray of food in bowls. 2. A Japanese game (?) involving small cards set out on a floor or held in hand. 3. A theatrical-looking scene with a mask, tables, an elaborate wig with a dragon crown, etc. 4. Three Japanese beauties with elaborate boxes, one containing ferns and other plant specimens, etc. Washing fruit. 5. A Barge or boat on a lake or river, with six beautiful ladies aboard. 6. A Japanese lady at her morning or evening toilet; attended by two maids or servants, while two more ladies handle and admire richly coloured silks and cloth. 7. Three beauties sit outside enjoying the fresh air. Mountains loom in the background 8. Three Japanese ladies sit outside at night and try to capture 'fireflies' with fans or 'bats.' One lady has a small box that contains some captured 'fireflies.' 9. A highly coloured scene of three ladies seated in a formal Japanese garden, watching others engage in the garden itself. 10. Three Japanese ladies happily watch a playful dog with a coloured ribbon and bow tied around its collar.