The Ninth Month, Chôyô - Keisai Eisen

A classic Ukiyo-e woodblock print by Keisai Eisen depicting a courtesan in a chrysanthemum-patterned kimono, representing the ninth month of the year.

This woodblock print by Keisai Eisen depicts a high-ranking courtesan, a subject central to the Ukiyo-e tradition. The work belongs to a series representing the months of the year, specifically focusing on the ninth month, which coincides with the Chôyô festival, or the Chrysanthemum Festival. The figure is positioned before a folding screen decorated with stylised water and maple leaves, providing a seasonal context that aligns with the autumn timing of the festival.

The courtesan wears an elaborate kimono adorned with large, stylised chrysanthemum blossoms. Her hair is styled with multiple ornamental pins, a hallmark of the fashion associated with the Yoshiwara pleasure district. To the upper right, an inset cartouche displays a small scene of a potted chrysanthemum, reinforcing the theme of the ninth month. The composition balances the figure with the decorative elements of the screen and the textile patterns of the garment.

Keisai Eisen was a prolific designer of bijin-ga, or pictures of beautiful women. His work often features elongated figures and a refined use of line. The colour palette relies on muted tones, with specific emphasis on the greens of the kimono and the warm reds of the floral motifs. The print demonstrates the technical precision of the Edo-period woodblock process, where multiple carved blocks were used to layer colour and detail. The inclusion of the artist's signature and the series title in the cartouche provides clear identification of the work's origin within the commercial print market of the nineteenth century. This piece offers a view into the aesthetic preferences and cultural observances of the period, capturing the intersection of fashion, seasonal tradition, and the art of the floating world.