Princess Sakura (Setsu Getsu Ka) - Setsu Getsu Ka

A traditional Japanese woodblock print featuring a woman in a floral kimono, set against a backdrop of mountains and cherry blossoms.

This woodblock print displays the aesthetic conventions of the late Edo or early Meiji period in Japan. The composition is divided into distinct zones, a common technique in ukiyo-e prints to suggest narrative layers. The central figure, a woman dressed in a patterned kimono, holds a parasol, her form rendered with the flat colour planes typical of the medium. Her attire features floral motifs, which echo the cherry blossoms appearing in the foreground.

The background incorporates a distant mountain and a pagoda, providing a sense of place. The upper section contains a cartouche with Japanese calligraphy, which identifies the series or the specific subject matter. The colour palette relies on high-contrast pairings, such as the deep red of the kimono against the turquoise sky and the green architectural elements. The printmaker employs bold outlines to define the figures and the structural elements of the scene.

This work belongs to the genre of bijin-ga, or pictures of beautiful women, which was a primary subject for woodblock artists. The inclusion of the parasol and the specific floral patterns suggests a seasonal theme, often associated with spring. The print demonstrates the technical precision required for multi-block printing, where each colour is applied via a separate carved wooden block. The overall arrangement is decorative, prioritising the balance of shapes and patterns over realistic depth. The print serves as an example of the visual culture of the period, reflecting the popular interest in theatrical subjects and idealized figures.