Glossary of Terms

Ôban: a large print size measuring 15 x 10-1/4 inches (38 x 26 cm).

Obi: a wide long sash on a kimono.

Odoriko: dancing girl, predecessor of geisha.

Ôkubi-e (large-head pictures): a painting or print showing either only the head or the head and upper part of the torso.

Onnagata: a male actor impersonating a woman in the Kabuki theatre.

Orihon (Folding book): concertina or accordion book.

Osaka print school: a group of artists who devoted themselves almost entirely to theatrical subjects. The prints are easily recognized by a certain hardness of treatment, combined with brilliance of coloring. In their training, many of the artists owed allegiance to Shun'ei, Hokusai, and Kunisada. Their whole output was probably produced between 1820 and 1845. Issues of 2- and 4-sheet prints were a specialty of Ôsaka (Edo prints were in 3 or 5 sheets). They also specialized in kappasuri.

Ôtanzaku (Print size): approximately 14-3/4 x 6-3/4 inches (37 x 17 cm). Derived from the shape of the poem slip (tanzaku).