Japanese Meiji Period "okubi-e" (literally "big head") woodblock print depicting a beauty from the Meireki Era (1655-1658) from the series "Mirror of the Ages" ("Jidai Kagami") by Yoshu Chikanobu (1838-1912) published by Matsuki Heikichi in 1897. The upper inset portion of this print illustrates a group of people playing handball. 14 1/8" x 9 1/4." The series features bust portraits of beauties representing various eras from the 16th to 20th centuries. This series is described and illustrated on pages 188-192 of "Chikanobu: Modernity and Nostalgia in Japanese Prints" by Bruce Coats, Scripps College and Hotei Publishing, 2006. The series is also described and illustrated in color on pages 80-82 of "The New Wave" by Amy Reigle Stephens, Bamboo Publishing, London, 1993. Very good impression quality and brilliant color with embossed highlights on the collar. Very good overall condition. Album backed with mulberry paper. The album backing is somewhat toned.