Chiyoda Inner Palace: No. 20 Flower Arranging in Turn - Hashimoto Chikanobu

A detailed woodblock print by Hashimoto Chikanobu depicting women engaged in the traditional art of flower arranging within the Edo Castle inner palace.

This woodblock print by Hashimoto Chikanobu belongs to the series Chiyoda no Ōoku, which translates to The Inner Palace at Chiyoda. The series depicts the daily lives of women within the Edo Castle, the residence of the Tokugawa shogunate. This specific work, number 20, illustrates the refined practice of flower arranging, or ikebana, performed within the secluded quarters of the palace.

Chikanobu captures a quiet moment of cultural activity. A woman sits at the left, focused on the arrangement of stems, while others observe or wait their turn. The figures wear elaborate kimono with varied patterns, demonstrating the high status and fashion of the women in the Ōoku. The interior space is defined by tatami mats, sliding shoji screens, and a tokonoma alcove containing a hanging scroll. The composition is balanced, using the horizontal format to separate the active participant from the seated observers.

As a Meiji-period artist, Chikanobu maintained the traditional ukiyo-e aesthetic while documenting the customs of a bygone era. The print reflects the nostalgia for the Edo period that was common during the rapid modernisation of Japan in the late nineteenth century. The lines are precise, and the colour palette remains controlled, focusing on the contrast between the patterned garments and the neutral tones of the architectural setting. This work provides a glimpse into the structured social rituals of the shogunal court, where artistic pursuits were essential components of daily life for the women in residence. The print serves as a record of both historical costume and the cultural practices associated with the Japanese aristocracy.