Smile

Today, we talk on smartphones and send messages by social network services. In Japan of old, however, thoughts and feelings were communicated by letters and personal waka verses. In dim light, this figure of a young girl stands by a lantern reading a strip of paper. While she seems happy, she is also slightly flushed with embarrassment. Her kimono, bordered with a contrast color along the hem, has a green ground with painted paulownia leaves and flowers, and tie-dye indigo patterning. All are superbly represented. The auspicious character kotobuki is gorgeously woven with gold thread into the obi.
The artist has meticulously rendered each glittering weave in these symbols of good fortune. Noticing these details, along with the girl’s charming smile, you can begin to appreciate the way that Baisō, clearly the master of his brush, has portrayed this girl in love.