Woodblock Print Triptych by Shuntei: Dance Performance - Tosei Furyu Tsu

One dancer in a cascade of red, and four women in kimono following her every turn.

This woodblock print triptych, Dance Performance – Tosei Furyu Tsu, is by Shuntei, from Japan, and dates to around 1900, in ink on paper. The triptych format let Japanese print designers spread one scene across three sheets. At right, a dancer in red robes and a flowered headdress performs beneath hanging cherry blossoms, before blue and white striped curtains. Women in patterned kimono kneel to watch, one at left with tea things set out on a red tray. It is 27.8 inches wide and 14 high.

Everyone has a good seat, and the tea is already poured.