Published 1887, Beauty and Pine (#8) belongs to Comparison of Beautiful Women and Flowers (Bijin Hana Kurabe). This series pairs women with flowers, drawing on the established bijin tradition while using botanical and seasonal motifs to suggest mood, age, refinement, or personal character. The comparison is poetic rather than simply decorative.
The figure belongs to the bijin tradition but is presented through Meiji clothing, activity, and social setting, making the design evidence of changing ideals as well as beauty imagery. The catalog identifies tree and women among the principal motifs. Gekkō uses their relationship to clarify action, season, setting, and narrative emphasis rather than treating them as interchangeable decoration.
Gekkō’s print style is noted for painterly contours, soft color transitions, and reserved paper, effects achieved through the collaborative disciplines of block carving and hand printing.
Additional information
| Editions | First Edition |
|---|---|
| Publisher | Matsuki Heikichi |
| Size | Oban |
| Subjects | tree, women |
| Year Published | 1887 |
Contribute to this Listing
Do you have information to contribute to this listing such as edition information, images, or corrections? Please submit using the form below.
