Chisho Takaoka

This is an originally black and white portrait of Chishō Takaoka (April 22, 1896 – October 22, 1994) that I have hand colored.   She was a geisha in Shinbashi who became a Buddhist nun later in life. Her stage name was Teruha She became famous for her radiant beauty, and for chopping off one of her fingers for her lover. She was a popular model featured in postcards, and was known as the “Nine-Fingered Geisha”. This art is colored pencil, wax based.