Original artwork shikishi features a traditional Japanese painting in a bold, expressive style, inspired by ukiyo-e and kabuki theater portraits. The central figure is a richly dressed courtesan. Courtesans in Japan, known as oiran (花魁), were elite high-ranking courtesans during the Edo period (1603–1868). They lived in designated pleasure quarters such as Yoshiwara in Edo (modern Tokyo), and were admired not just for their beauty, but also for their artistry, wit, cultural refinement, and education.
The subject wears a highly ornate kimono adorned with floral patterns in warm red and ochre tones, accented by expressive brushwork that conveys texture and movement. Her hair is elaborately styled, topped with a voluminous blue and gold floral headdress, a typical element in depictions of oiran or kabuki performers. To the right of the figure, there is a vertical inscription in flowing Japanese calligraphy dedication. The characters are written in a relaxed, artistic hand, complementing the free, dynamic painting style.
