Step 8 of 9

Mouth and chin

Detail of the original

Detail of the original

There are differences in the mouth as well. The mouth in the original consist of a thin basic line on top of which is printed an extra layer of black, conveying both ends of the mouth. In the copy, it’s one single printed line. Also, the mouth in the original points downwards, while it points a bit upwards in the copy. The lines of the chin are very different, too – compare the original (left) and the copy (right).

So there it is: if you look thoroughly, it becomes clear quickly enough that what we are dealing with here is a copy. The goal of these prints, however, was by no means to commit forgery. These prints are most likely made by the Takamizawa company: a still–existing company that published reproductions and, to a lesser extent, originals.