Two Ladies; One is Playing the Biwa (Japanese Lute) and the Other, the Koto (Japanese Harp)

The image shows a traditional Japanese woodblock print. Two women are sitting on the floor. One woman is sitting cross-legged, playing a biwa. The biwa has a white body with a black neck and four strings. The woman playing the biwa wears a kimono with a red, green and purple pattern. She has long black hair. The second woman sits to her left, bent over and playing a koto. The koto has a flat body with 13 strings and a curved base. The woman playing the koto wears a kimono with a black, green and purple pattern. A low table with the koto on it is to her right. The background of the image is a light beige color with Japanese writing in black and red ink.

Artwork Details

Date: probably 1815
Medium: Part of an album of woodblock prints (surimono); ink and color on paper
Culture: Japan
Dimensions: 571 × 625 px
Public Domain: Yes
Museum Record: View original

Palette