About This Print

Often assumed to be the first print in the series One Hundred Aspects of the Moon, it pictures one of the eleven famous courtesans of the Yoshiwara in the 17th and 18th centuries named Takao.  It is believed Yoshitoshi's print pictures the sixth Takao, known for her poetry.This print is a modern re-issue of the original 1885 print [see IHL Cat. #970], created from re-cut blocks. It is part of a portfolio of 15 designs from the series issued by the woodblock department 版画部 of the publishing company Nihon Bijutsu Gakai 日本美術画会 and overseen by Japanese art historian and one-time president of the Japan Ukiyo-e Society Yamaguchi Keizaburō 山口桂三郎 (1928-2012) who also provided a commentary for each print.