“Maiko III,” created by Kiyoshi Saito in 1960, is a figurative piece within the Sōsaku hanga art movement. The artwork illustrates the back view of a maiko, an apprentice geisha, capturing her form with abstract precision.
In the artwork, the maiko is depicted in a kimono, her figure framed by a gray, textured background. The artist employs subdued colors and stylized lines, focusing on the contrast between the dark and light tones, particularly the elegant contours of the maiko’s neck and the patterned fabric of her kimono. The composition is minimalistic yet evocative, emphasizing the simplicity and beauty of the traditional subject. Saito’s technique exemplifies the Sōsaku hanga movement’s principles, aiming for personal artistic expression and originality.
