Takashima Ohisa (高しまおひさ). Published late 1790′s. Signed: Shuncho ga. Publisher: Tsuruya Kiemon (Senkakudo).
O-Hisa taking care of guests in a teahouse, Takashima colors her lips in front of a mirror. She was the beautiful daughter of Sembei (Salzkeks), the factory owner Takashima Chobei. He was the richest man in his neighborhood and owned many businesses. Furthermore he ran a teahouse - Takashimaya near the Ryogoku bridge where his daughter worked. With her delicate beauty and gracious nature, she attracted customers in droves. Like the waitress Okita from the Naniwaya teahouse, she was renowned as the beauty queen of the Kansei Era (1789 - 1801). Both girls were portraited by all famous color woodblock print masters of their time. Utamaro alone portraited both Chaya-musume around twenty times.
OBAN, 33,3 x 22,8 CM
From a Viennese private collection