"Beni - Cosmetic in the Meiji Era" 1928 "Beni" was a type of cosmetic used in the late 19th century. This painting presents a typical daily scene of the period, in which a woman in a short black Japanese overgarment with a Shimada-style knot on the top of her head applies beni. The patterns on the kimono, the layering of the neckbands, the lip brush and jar of cosmetic lotion, Kiyokata has drawn each with verity and precision. In this work is seen the keen, precise visual sense he also displayed in the newpaper illustrations he labored over. Kaburaki Kiyokata: Born in Kanda, Tokyo, in 1878. He was mentored by Mizuno Toshikata, an ukiyoe painter, and exhibited works at exhibitions such as the Bunten. When the Teiten Exhibition was established in 1919, he was appointed juror. He was a member of Geijutsuin (1923) art group and Teikoku Geijutsuin (1929) art group. He is also known for his elegantly flowing essays about days gone by. He received the Order of Cultural Merit in 1954. Copyright of all the pictures in this Web site belongs to the artists or the Adachi Museum of Art