Meiji era (1868-1912), dated 1896 and 1897 A complete set of 50 oban tate-e woodblock prints of okubi-e (bust portraits) of beauties, titled Jidai kagami (Mirror of the Ages), documenting the fashions of former times (from the Kenmu to the Meiji era) in chronological order, each sheet with a beautiful woman in a sumptuous costume depicted at the lower section and a rectangular panel at the top making a reference to the era, some sheets with lacquer and embossed details, published by Matsuki Heikichi, variously dated Meiji 29 and 30 (1896-7), all signed Yoshu Chikanobu, together with two prints indicating the title and showing the table of contents, a single page opening illustration of three ladies and one duplicate; many mounted on card. Each sheet approx., 35.5cm x 25.5cm (14in x 10in). (54).