Floating World
© 2000, Christopher E Appel

"Floating World refers to the entertainment quarters of Japan's old urban center, with their geisha, actors, musicians and other performers. The geisha in this piece is from the Meiji period (1868-1912).

The mon, or crest, on her kimono sleeve is typical of the era. Once a symbol reserved for a samurai family, these designs became a fashion statement of the neuvo-rich of the restoration period."