First Designs of Model Young Leaves: the Courtesan Karauta of the Chôjiya, accompanied by her attendants Matsuno and Takeno / Isoda Koryûsai
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About this Item
Record Details
- Accession Number
- 1960/1.145
- Title
- First Designs of Model Young Leaves: the Courtesan Karauta of the Chôjiya, accompanied by her attendants Matsuno and Takeno
- Artist
- Isoda Koryûsai
- Artist Nationality
- Japanese
- Artist Life Dates
- active 1764 - 1788
- Medium and Support
- Oban (large size) nishiki-e (full-color woodblock print) on paper
- Object Creation Date
- circa 1777-1782
- Object Creation Place
- Asia (continent)
- Japan (nation)
- Kanto (region)
- Tokyo (metropolis)
- Creation Place 1
- Asia (continent)
- Creation Place 2
- Japan (nation)
- Creation Place 3
- Kanto (region)
- Creation Place 4
- Tokyo (metropolis)
- Credit Line
- Museum Purchase
- Style/Group/Movement
- ukiyo-e
- Inscription
- Signature: Buko Yagenbori no Inshi Koryusai ga
- Publisher: Eiju han of Nishimuraya Yohachi
- Dimensions
- 36.7 cm x 26.7 cm (14 7/16 in. x 10 1/2 in.)
- Century
- 18th century
- Primary Object Classification
- Primary Object Type
- color print
- Physical Description
- This is a color woodblock print of a courtesan and her two attendants. They are walking toward the left. The courtesan wears red and brown kimono with geometric designs and a pink cloak with plum tree and cloud design. Her green obi (sash), tied in front, has peacock feather and geometric patterns. Her hair is sculpted in the shape of “lantern” style, with the broad wings to the side of the head. Three large tortoise-shell comb and four pins adorn the hair. The two young attendants wear matching clothes and hair accessories; their kimono design has the same plum and cloud patterns as the courtesan but in brownish colors. Their obi is in green color with wavy stripes, loosely tied on their backs. They also have tortoise shell combs, hairpins, and ornaments in the shape of pine leaves. One attendant is looking at a ground, and other attendant toward the right. All three wear high platform sandals. There are artist’s signature and publisher’s seal on the lower left corner, as well as the title on the upper right corner.
- Subject Matter
- Traditionally the famous beauties of the Yoshiwara entertainment quarter in Edo would parade under the cherry blossoms every spring in the newest fashions. Here we are shown the reigning courtesan of the Chôjiya house, Karauta, accompanied by two young attendants, Matsuno and Takeno, in matching costumes. Note the new "lantern" hairstyle, with the broad wings to the side of the head. This print serves as an advertisement for the attractions of the Chôjiya tea house— and quite possibly for the shop that provided the costumes as well. Print designers often worked as textile designers on the side, and images such as these would appeal to women as the equivalent of the latest issue of Vogue.
- (Adopted from M. Graybill, "Courtesans, Cross-Dressers, and the Girl Next Door Images of the Feminine in Japanese Popular Prints" 3/9 - 9/1/02)
- Secondary Keywords
- buildings and the land
- costume
- costume by form
- deciduous trees
- landscapes (environments)
- main garments
- natural landscapes
- objects we use
- people
- people (agents)
- people and culture
- people by age group
- people by occupation
- people in service occupations
- plants
- prostitutes
- settlements and landscapes
- trees
- trees by leaf life
- vegetation and vegetation components
- vegetation components
- woody plants
- youth
- Rights
- If you are interested in using an image for a publication, please visit https://umma.umich.edu/about/services/request-image/ for more information and to fill out the online Image Rights and Reproductions Request Form.
Technical Details
- Collection
- University of Michigan Museum of Art
- Image Size
- 1996 x 2980
- File Size
- 791 KB
- Record
- 1960/1.145
- Link to this Item
-
https://quod.lib.umich.edu/m/musart/x-1960-sl-1.145/1960_1.145.jpg
Rights and Permissions
Related Links
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IIIF
- Manifest
-
https://quod.lib.umich.edu/cgi/i/image/api/manifest/musart:1960-SL-1.145:1960_1.145.JPG
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- Full citation
-
"First Designs of Model Young Leaves: the Courtesan Karauta of the Chôjiya, accompanied by her attendants Matsuno and Takeno; Isoda Koryûsai." In the digital collection University of Michigan Museum of Art. https://quod.lib.umich.edu/m/musart/x-1960-sl-1.145/1960_1.145.jpg. University of Michigan Library Digital Collections. Accessed April 18, 2024.
