The artwork is titled “Looking shy – The appearance of a young girl of the Meiji era,” created by the esteemed artist Tsukioka Yoshitoshi in the year 1888. This piece belongs to the Ukiyo-e art movement and falls under the genre of portraiture. It is part of the series “Thirty-two Aspects of Daily Life.”
The artwork portrays a young girl from the Meiji era, characterized by a soft and demure expression, suggestive of shyness. The girl is adorned in a traditional kimono with intricate patterns and vibrant colors, highlighted by a red collar and purple-polka-dot undergarment. She is captured in a moment of delicate modesty, with her hand partially covering her mouth, emphasizing her introverted demeanor. Her elaborate hairstyle, decorated with a comb and a red hair accessory, signifies her cultural and temporal setting. Decorative elements, including Japanese calligraphy and illustrations, further embellish the surroundings, adding a rich context to the portrayal. The detailed rendering of textures and patterns illustrates Tsukioka Yoshitoshi’s mastery in capturing the nuances of daily life in the Meiji era.
