SHIJÔ SCHOOL A small painting mounted in a kakejiku frame, in ink and light colours on paper, depicting a courtesan seen from behind, walking away, with a piece of calligraphy on the right. Signed ‘Yûshôan shihitsu’ with a ‘Rokuchô’ seal. This is a haiga (illustrated haiku) by Yûshôan Rokuchô (dates unknown, a follower of Hanabusa Itchô) composed in early 1856 to wish for a peaceful year following the series of earthquakes that had cast a shadow over Japan in the previous two years (the Ansei earthquakes of 1854 and 1855). The courtesan, with her fleeting beauty, seems to symbolise the passing of time. (Small, fine creases). Japan, Edo period, mid-19th century. A SMALL SHIJÔ SCHOOL INK ON PAPER HAIGA PAINTING, JAPAN, MID-19TH CENTURY. DIM. 24.5 X 35.5 CM (9 5/8 X 14 IN.)