Wood engraving on virgin washi paper backed on verso mm354x240 Oban size.19th century. Original colors. Female figure wearing an elegant and eventful blue and black kimono with very rich draperies, holds necklaces in her hand. Above is Japanese text describing the scene. The female figure (Bijin-ga) played a central role in the range of major subjects of ukiyo-e prints, the painting and depiction of the floating world, of life passing by. Bijin-ga (Japanese: 美人画, “paintings of beautiful women,” bijin) style is a generic term for images of beautiful women in Japanese art, especially in woodcuts of the ukiyo-e genre, which predates photography. Fine specimen showing a small paper lack at the bottom.