Dancing geisha with a hand drum

This painting depicts a geisha posing coyly as she strikes a hand drum that she holds at her right shoulder. The woman's long kimono trails gracefully. She wears an elaborate hairstyle with an ornamental comb, which goes well with her extravagant garments.

Active in Osaka, Tsukioka Settei was a pupil of Takada Keiho (1674–1755), from whom he learned the manner of painting associated with the famous Kano family of painters. Later Settei developed an independent style. A prolific painter and book illustrator, he is especially known for his graceful and elegant female figures.