{"product_id":"two-geisha-holding-a-shamisen-and-a-song-book-kitao-shigemasa","title":"Two Geisha Holding a Shamisen and a Song Book - Kitao Shigemasa","description":"\u003cp\u003eA refined Ukiyo-e woodblock print by Kitao Shigemasa depicting two geisha carrying musical instruments, rendered in a muted, elegant palette.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis woodblock print by Kitao Shigemasa captures two geisha in a moment of quiet transit. Shigemasa, a master of the Ukiyo-e tradition, was known for his refined depictions of women, a genre known as bijin-ga. The composition focuses on the figures, who are rendered with a graceful, elongated posture typical of the period. One woman carries a shamisen case, while the other holds a song book, suggesting they are on their way to a musical engagement.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe artist employs a muted colour palette, relying on soft greens, deep purples, and earthy tones to define the garments. The kimonos feature subtle patterns, including floral motifs and geometric shapes, which demonstrate the attention to textile detail common in Japanese printmaking of the eighteenth century. The background remains plain, allowing the viewer to focus entirely on the posture, dress, and expressions of the subjects.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eShigemasa was a contemporary of artists like Katsukawa Shunsho and was instrumental in the development of the Kitao school. His work often prioritised a sense of realism in the facial features and hair styling, moving away from the more stylised, doll-like faces seen in earlier Ukiyo-e works. The lines are precise and controlled, reflecting the technical skill required to carve and print such a design. This piece provides a glimpse into the social customs of Edo-period Japan, where music and performance were central to the lives of geisha. The print is a classic example of the aesthetic values of the time, where elegance and restraint were highly prized in visual art.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"margin-top:2rem;padding-top:1.5rem;border-top:1px solid #e5e5e5;\"\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-size:0.85rem;color:#888;font-weight:600;margin:0 0 0.75rem;text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:0.05em;\"\u003eYou might also like\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"display:flex;flex-wrap:wrap;gap:0.5rem;\"\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/ryogoku-bridge-and-the-great-riverbank-utagawa-hiroshige\" style=\"display:inline-block;background:#f8f9fa;border:1px solid #e5e5e5;border-radius:20px;padding:0.35rem 0.85rem;font-size:0.8rem;color:#2a555a;font-weight:500;text-decoration:none !important;background-image:none !important;\"\u003eRyōgoku Bridge and the Great Riverbank - Utagawa Hiroshige — Utagawa Hiroshige\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/lantern-float-kitagawa-utamaro\" style=\"display:inline-block;background:#f8f9fa;border:1px solid #e5e5e5;border-radius:20px;padding:0.35rem 0.85rem;font-size:0.8rem;color:#2a555a;font-weight:500;text-decoration:none !important;background-image:none !important;\"\u003eLantern Float - Kitagawa Utamaro — Kitagawa Utamaro\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Kitao Shigemasa","offers":[{"title":"Fine Art Poster \/ A4 (21x29.7 cm) \/ -","offer_id":58982939656527,"sku":null,"price":28.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Poster \/ A3 (29.7 x 42  cm) \/ -","offer_id":58983010173263,"sku":null,"price":35.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Poster \/ A2 (42 x 59.4  cm) \/ -","offer_id":58983010206031,"sku":null,"price":45.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A4 (21x29.7 cm) \/ Black frame","offer_id":58983010238799,"sku":null,"price":45.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A4 (21x29.7 cm) \/ Wood frame","offer_id":58983010271567,"sku":null,"price":45.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A4 (21x29.7 cm) \/ Dark wood frame","offer_id":58983010304335,"sku":null,"price":45.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A3 (29.7 x 42  cm) \/ Black frame","offer_id":58983010337103,"sku":null,"price":60.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A3 (29.7 x 42  cm) \/ Wood frame","offer_id":58983010369871,"sku":null,"price":60.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A3 (29.7 x 42  cm) \/ Dark wood frame","offer_id":58983010402639,"sku":null,"price":60.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A2 (42 x 59.4  cm) \/ Black frame","offer_id":58983010435407,"sku":null,"price":90.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A2 (42 x 59.4  cm) \/ Wood frame","offer_id":58983010468175,"sku":null,"price":90.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A2 (42 x 59.4  cm) \/ Dark wood frame","offer_id":58983010500943,"sku":null,"price":90.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0833\/9292\/1935\/files\/Two-Geisha-Holding-a-Shamisen-and-a-Song-Book_Poster_CompositorV1_1790924216617.jpg?v=1790924697","url":"https:\/\/www.solisprints.co.uk\/products\/two-geisha-holding-a-shamisen-and-a-song-book-kitao-shigemasa","provider":"Solis Prints","version":"1.0","type":"link"}