Beauty of the Kanbun Era late 17th century Japan Kanbun bijin, or Beauties of the Kanbun Era,” is a generic name given to paintings of a woman (or sometimes a handsome young man) standing alone against a neutral background. This example is typical of the genre, which outlasted the Kanbun era (1661-72). The tall, slender woman, her hair dressed in an elaborate style called gosho-mage, or palace chignon,” covers her mouth with both hands while dancing. The designs on the woman’s outer garment include areas of kanoko, or fawn-spot”—stitch-resist dyeing interspersed with painted patterns. The sections with bright colors stand out strongly against the subdued ground areas decorated only with small floral designs. These sharply contrasting patterns are characteristic of so-called Kanbun designs and closely resemble the K?daiji-type lacquerware displayed elsewhere in the galleries.. Beauty of the Kanbun Era. Japan. late 17th century. Hanging scroll; ink, color, and gold on paper. Edo perio