| Artist | HIRANO, Hakuho (1879-1957) |
| Title | "Before the Mirror" ("Kagami no Mae") |
| Date | 1932 (Likely 1930's/40's printing.) |
| Provenance | Private placement. Consigned by a southwest print collector/dealer. |
| Series | na |
| Publisher | Shobishia |
| Seal, Carver/Printer | Red circular "Shobisha" seal (verso). |
| Image Size | 10 x 14 1/4 (plus margins) |
| Impression | Very Fine. Skillfully executed "bokashi" shading to hand, face, and background; extensive "gauffrage" (embossing) to entire red kimono pattern, green collar, hand towel, and hair-piece; gold metallic pigment highlights to hairpin; strong circular "baren sujizuri" (tracings) to entire background. |
| Condition | Excellent. Excellent colors. Clean front and verso. (Very slight wear; slight toning. No prior mounts.) |
| Reference/Illus | "The Female Image," Plate #209. "New Wave," Plate #127. |
| Comments | Without question, this is Hirano's finest "bijin-ga" image (lifetime total of only 6 known images, all 1932-36). Amoung the finest "bijin-ga" prints of the shin-hanga period. Rarely seen. |
| Item # | FW-44 |
| Price | Special $1200 (Sold/JG) (Reg $2250/$1750/$1500) |