"Recently I have been looking online through Van Gogh’s personal collection of Japanese prints of which he owned around 250 Kunisada designs. Those elements in Japanese prints that captured the post-impressionist imagination still resonate with me today in the use of bold colour, flattened perspectives and decorative motifs."
- Graham Fletcher 'My Choice' April 2021

Note 1. An alternate impression of this scene is distinguished by a kanji character in white outline on the garment on the back of this figure. This character is omitted from this impression, and the green colour block slightly put of register suggesting an alternate edition. See:
http://kuniyoshiproject.com/Triptychs%20of%20beautiful%20women,%20Part%20II.htm

Note 2. Torinomachi = Festival of the Cock, held at Washi Daimyojin Shrine in Asakusa during the 11th month. The kumade hairpins in the form of small bamboo rakes adorned with coloured ribbons were a popular souvenir sold at the shrine during the festival. The background landscape depicts the swampy rice growing area around the Shrine, and directly beyond the licensed brothel district of Yoshiwara

This image is representative of the Edo period (1615-1867) ukiyo-e – ‘floating world pictures' . The artist also illustrates aspects of the highly decorative and colourful nishiki-e ‘brocade print’ style, and demonstratse the apogee of nineteenth and early twentieth century woodblock print craftsmanship that represented the unique collaborative efforts of artist, publisher, block carver and printer.

Info from Doctor David Bell, University of Otago June 2010.