Takahashi Hiroaki was the first print designer to collaborate with the publisher Watanabe Shôzaburô to revive the themes and techniques of 19th-century ukiyo-e prints. Between 1907 and 1923, when the Great Kantô Earthquake destroyed both prints and blocks, they produced over 500 designs. After the quake, Hiroaki began anew, sometimes creating modified versions of his earlier designs. This work, however, is from his output for a different publisher, Kaneko Fusui, who apparently allowed him to do more experimental designs. The swirling patterns in the background, done in soft yellow-orange, show the movement of the baren pad during the printing process. Takahashi worked with Kaneko for only four years, between 1929 and 1932, so prints from this publisher are relatively rare. (quoted from Portland Art Museum)