楊洲周延画 「千代田之大奥 おたち退」|“Evacuation of the Ladies,” from the series The Inner Precincts of Chiyoda Castle (Chiyoda no Ōoku, Otachinoki)

Rendered in multicolored woodblock technique, the print employs a restrained palette of black, white, and red against a muted gray backdrop. Varying tones of gray are layered to suggest depth, while fine line work defines the folds of kimono and the texture of the horse’s mane. The composition balances decorative detail with a realistic handling of space, characteristic of late‑Meiji nishiki-e.

The triptych was produced as part of an album containing over thirty leaves that documented episodes from Chiyoda’s inner chambers. After circulating among private collectors in Japan, the work entered the holdings of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it is catalogued as an example of Meiji‑period printmaking.

Chikanobu’s series reflects a broader Meiji interest in documenting traditional court life amid rapid modernization. By focusing on the secluded world of the Ōoku—the women’s quarters of the shogunal palace—the artist captured a facet of Japanese heritage that was increasingly romanticized as the nation embraced Western influences.