This image was originally a painting by Hokusai, which here has been made into a woodblock print. The signature, ‘Gakyo-jin Hokusai’, suggests that this must have been created when he was over forty years old.

This type of beauty is well known as ’Sori Style Beauty’; characterized by a small mouth and eyes, an oval face, and a small narrow nose. The willow tree has new leaves and we see azalea-like flowers in the background, indicate late spring or early summer.

The uncountable subdued colors used in this print are all very nicely balanced, expressing the gorgeousness of the woman. For the pattern on the sash, no borderlines are visible between the heart and diamond shapes, which must have required a high level of printing skill.