Whose Sleeves?, early 17th century, Unknown Japanese, 60 11/16 ¡Ñ 141 1/8 in. (154.15 ¡Ñ 358.46 cm) (image)67 1/4 ¡Ñ 146 1/2 in. (170.82 ¡Ñ 372.11 cm), Ink, color, and gold on gilded paper, Japan, 17th century, Stylish kimono are draped casually over a deluxe pair of black lacquer stands, both adorned with gold makie designs and fittings. A red and gold amulet case hangs from the central case, while a koto (a musical instrument) rests on the floor. Such items represent the accoutrements of a fashionable prostitute, the kind who often appear in ukiyo-e paintings and prints. In her absence, we are asked to conjure up her beautiful visage ourselves. In the modern period such provocative paintings of women¡¦s garments on display came to be called Tagasode, or 'Whose Sleeves''¡Xa classical poetic device whereby the perfume arising from the sweep of a kimono¡¦s sleeves evokes the image of its owner.