89 Masayoshi 1764 – 1824 The Courtesan Hanaogi

Japan, originally Edo period; this edition circa 1923–1925 (Taishō period), 
publisher: Nippon Gasui-sha

This immensely elegant sheet is a high-quality traditional woodblock reprint of an original Edo-period masterpiece designed by Masayoshi. The print depicts one of the most famous beauties of her time, the high-ranking courtesan Hanaogi. She walks majestically accompanied by two attendants: one holds a large parasol over her, while the other carries a massive, lush basket filled with autumn and summer flowers on his back. This sheet was published around 1923–1925 by Nippon Gasui-sha as part of the exclusive subscription series "Masterpieces of Old Japanese Color Prints". This series aimed to make rare historical works accessible to collectors. Newly carved woodblocks were used, and the printing was executed using the same meticulous, manual methods as in the 19th century. Today, these masterful early 20th-century editions are highly sought-after and valued collector's items in their own right.