Hasegawa Sadanobu III (1881-1963), published by Uchida, Dancing Maiko, Japan, 1940s.

Color woodcut, ink, paper, 29x22 cm, artist's signature, publisher's stamp

A maiko is a schoolgirl training to become a geisha. The term is found only in Kyoto. Maiko are usually between 17 and 20 years old and attain geisha status after a period of training that includes learning traditional dance, playing the shamisen, and singing. The apprenticeship usually lasts from a few months to a year or two. Maiko dress, paint and style their hair in a distinctive manner typical only of them.

Sadanobu Hasegawa III (1881-1963) was the third in a long line of Japanese graphic designers, following his father and grandfather in the profession. Born in Osaka as the son of Sadanobu II, he was a pupil of painter Shijo Ueda Kocho and later Utagawa Sadamasu, becoming a member of the Osaka School. He worked to adapt the art of Japanese woodcut to the 20th century. Most of his works were commissioned by the Uchida Company in Kyoto, one of the largest publishers of woodblock prints in Japan at the time. Sadanobu III's technique followed the old Japanese tradition of making all blocks by hand, although more modern elements such as the embossing of metallic pigments were sometimes added. The subjects of his works included the usual ukiyo-e themes, such as kabuki and bunraku (traditional puppet show) theater, beautiful Kyoto girls, and scenes and events from medieval Japanese history and legends.