Yoshu Chikanobu (1838-1912) Meiji era (1868-1912), dated 1896 and 1897 An album bound from a complete set of 50 oban tate-e 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 beauty in sumptuous costume depicted at the lower section and a rectangular panel at the top referencing 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 and a single page opening illustration of three ladies; the brocade covers with a title slip. Each sheet approx., 36.5cm x 24cm (13 3/8in x 9½in).