Kunichika - Thirty-six Enchanting Flowers - Secret Talk

Toyohara Kunichika

"Enshoku Sanju-roku Kasen" (Thirty-six Enchanting Flowers) Two beauties are having a private conversation outside a fancy restaurant. Note the Toshidama seal pattern on the blue cloth hanging in the breeze.

An unusual Kunichika series designed in 1881. Each print pairs a poem by one of the Thirty-six Immortal Poets with well-known contemporary beauties, the "enchanting flowers" of the series title, involved in daily activities. These woodblocks offer a charming look at Meiji era life. 

Date: 1881.

Publisher: Takekawa Seikichi.

Condition: Not backed, borders as shown, great color.