More Chikanobu

#chikanobu #naginata

MORE CHIKANOBU - Women PRACTISING WITH NAGINATA

Hashimoto Naoyoshi also knwon as Yoshitsuru Yooshuu and Toyohara Chikanobu unlike some better known ukiyo-e artists was an actual samurai who had fought in battles and was involved in the final rebellions against the Meiji Regime.

As part of his education as well as military training he had studied Kano style and techniques.

He moved to Tokyo and became an ukiyo-e print artist / designer in his middle years studying the styles of Eisen Kuniyoshi and Kunisada.

There is a certain element of nostalgia in this and possibly of fantasy.

Its quite possible Chikanobu would have seen female relatives practising with naginata but whether they wore such colorful kimono with purple dye that bright ... Bijin were one of his themes but he was noted for battle scenes too. He did a whole series of prints illustrating a lifestyle that was disappearing during his life time. More next time.

Samurai women with Naginata

Here's a couple of ukiyo-e prints with #samurai #women wielding #naginatas

Women Samurai at the Battle of Kagoshima rebelling against the Meiji regime.

Posed as this looks the artist may have actually been there as its by Chikanobu Toyohara who was one of the samurai rebels before he became a print artist!

Finally for contrast a photo 

yes it is one of those staged photos said to tourists but still useful !

Palace Guardians with Naginatas

I was looking for something completely different when I came across this striking #ukiyo-e print of #Women #Warriors, #Samurai palace guards using #naginata! Enjoy

This is a night scene and yes that is smoke in the background as its based on a historical incident.
Plus an absolutely gorgeous and skilful use of a limited palette!