Harunobu Descending Geese of the Koto Bridges Tea Towel

Descending Geese of the Koto Bridges
One woman looks through a book of scores while the other fits a pick to her thumb, the koto between them with its bridges set in a slanting line.
Kotoji no rakugan, from the series Eight Parlour Views (Zashiki hakkei).
This impression carries the signature and seal of the poet Kyosen, who commissioned the series.
Suzuki Harunobu, c. 1766. Art Institute of Chicago, 1928.899.

The print sits on a pale ground, with its title and credit beneath.
Printed on one side with reactive inks. Natural, off-white base. Firm, with a structured drape; the back is softer than the front. Red ric-rac along the top and bottom edges, sewn with yellow thread.
Made to order in England, so slight variation in size and in the wave of the trim is normal.