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Title

Courtesan in an iris-patterned robe: "June" in a series of Twelve Months

Artist

Kaigetsudô Dohan

Physical Description

This is a large monochrome print of a courtesan wearing kimono with iris design. The courtesan is standing with her right hand in the sleeve that she raises to her chin and left hand gathering up her kimono; Her cloak with bamboo leaf and gentian flower design is slipping off her shoulder and revealing her dark kimono with iris roundels. She has long hair; her hair is tied and draped on the back. She is looking toward the right side. There is the artist’s signature and seal, and publisher’s seal on the right.

Artist Life Dates

active 1710 - 1716

Century

18th century

Object Creation Date

circa 1714

Accession Number

1955/1.128

Medium and Support

Kakemono-e (oversize) sumizurii-e (monochrome woodblock print) on paper

relevance

rank 6.41852

Secondary Keywords

costume

costume by form

descriptors

grass (plant material)

main garments

materials

materials by origin

objects we use

people

people (agents)

people and culture

people by occupation

people in service occupations

physical activities

physical activities by general context

plant material

prostitutes

Title

Courtesan in procession

Artist

Kitagawa Utamaro

Physical Description

This is a portrait of courtesan and her attendant. The courtesan wears a kimono with overall cherry blossom patterns and a darker color cloak with fan, plover and wave design lining with overall cherry blossom design silk; the cloak is slipping from her right shoulder. Her obi is draped in front; it has overall hollyhock pattern. Her face is white; Her hair is sculpted like a balloon on the top and has broad wings to the side. Tortoise-shell comb and multiple hairpins adorn the hair. She is strolling toward the right. Her attendant is walking behind her, her face and body partially hidden by the courtesan. She wears the matching kimono with plover and wave design; her kimono has long sleeves (furisode), whose openings are tied with ribbons. Her obi, with peony and geometric design, is tied at the back. Her hair is in the similar shape as the courtesan but not too exaggerated. But she wears an enormous hair accessory consisting of cherry blossoms and tassels, made of silver. Her face is also in white. The painting is accompanied by poem written by Santô Kyôden with his signature and two seals. On the lower left, there are the artist's signature and seal. The mounting is made of silk brocade with embroidery in the design of clematis and millets.

Artist Life Dates

1754-1806

Century

18th century

Object Creation Date

circa 1793-1795

Accession Number

1962/1.104

Medium and Support

ink, white pigment, and red color on paper

relevance

rank 6.11129

Secondary Keywords

associated concepts

concepts in the arts

costume

costume by form

descriptors

genres in the arts

image-making processes and techniques

literary, oral and motion picture genres

main garments

objects we use

people

people (agents)

people and culture

people by age group

people by occupation

people in service occupations

processes and techniques

processes and techniques by specific type

prostitutes

writing (processes)

youth

Title

First Designs of Model Young Leaves: the Courtesan Karauta of the Chôjiya, accompanied by her attendants Matsuno and Takeno

Artist

Isoda Koryûsai

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.

Artist Life Dates

active 1764 - 1788

Century

18th century

Object Creation Date

circa 1777-1782

Accession Number

1960/1.145

Medium and Support

Oban (large size) nishiki-e (full-color woodblock print) on paper

relevance

rank 6.10387

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

Title

Beauty under Cherry Blossoms

Artist

Hosoda Eishi

Physical Description

This is a portrait of a courtesan and her two attendants. The courtesan wears a red cloak with a peacock flying over peonies and a pale green color kimono with “shippô” (seven treasures) pattern. Her green obi, tied in the front, has design of red and blue clouds with gold plants. She is turning away from a viewer to show the gorgeous cloak. Her hair is sculpted in a butterfly shape on the top and has wings to the side. Tortoise-shell combs and multiple hairpins adorn the hair. Her two attendants flank the courtesan; they wear matching, dark green kimono with chrysanthemum flower design and red underkimono. Their kimono have especially long sleeves (furisode), whose openings are tied with ribbons. Their obi are in brocade and tied on their backs. Their hair is sculpted in round shape on their tops and has side wings like the courtesan. They wear silver hair accessories of cherry blossoms and tassels, long hairpins and red silk ribbons. The attendant on the left holds a battledore pad and the right attendant holds a ball. All the women wear black platform sandals. There is a cherry tree in full blossom on the right, from which some petals fall on the women and the ground. There are the artist’s signature and seal on the lower right corner. It has mounting of beige silk and two strips of floral pattern brocade on the top and bottom of the painting.

Artist Life Dates

1756-1829

Century

19th century

Object Creation Date

1810

Accession Number

1977/1.180

Medium and Support

ink and color on silk

relevance

rank 6.00766

Secondary Keywords

animals and creatures

birds

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

recreational artifacts

settlements and landscapes

shrubs

trees

trees by leaf life

vegetation and vegetation components

vegetation components

woody plants

youth

Title

Elegant Fresh Foods (Three Courtesans at a Drinking Party)

Artist

Kikugawa Eizan

Physical Description

Three courtesans engaged in a drinking game sit in an open veranda in early spring, with cherry blossoms in full bloom behind them. The women appear tipsy, and the one at the right clings to her companion in the middle for support, as she stretches out her left hand to have her cup refilled with saké (rice wine). They have a tray of delicacies shamisen at their feet.

Artist Life Dates

1787-1867

Century

19th century

Object Creation Date

mid 1800s - circa 1810

Accession Number

1960/1.138

Medium and Support

oban (large size) nishiki-e (full-color woodblock print) on paper

relevance

rank 5.67576

Secondary Keywords

transfer method

asian

east asian

japanese

japanese printmaking styles

japanese styles

objects we use

people

people (agents)

people and culture

people by occupation

people in service occupations

prints

prints by process

prints by process or technique

prostitutes

relief prints

styles and periods

styles and periods by region

visual works

visual works by medium or technique

Title

Complete Illustrations of Yoshiwara Parodies of Kabuki: Courtesans of the Matsubaya (Seirô kabuki yatsushiga tsukushi: Matsubaya no uchi)

Artist

Kitagawa Utamaro

Physical Description

This triptych shows courtesans in a garden of Yoshiwara under flowering trees. The inscribed names allow us to identify the women as courtesans of the Matsubaya House, centered on the grand courtesan Yoso’oi (in the central triptych, with the dragon-design obi). Flanking her on either side are two shinzô apprentices, and at the right, two kamuro or child attendants.

The courtesans at left interact with a puppet of the actor Ichikawa Danjûrô VI in his role as Sukeroku. The bearded older man in the center is the villain Hige no Ikyû, Sukeroku’s rival for the affections of the courtesan Agemaki.

Artist Life Dates

1754-1806

Century

18th century

Object Creation Date

1798

Accession Number

1948/1.185

Medium and Support

oban (large size) nishiki-e (full-color woodblock print) on paper, triptych

relevance

rank 5.60210

Secondary Keywords

transfer method

asian

east asian

entertainment events

events

japanese

japanese printmaking styles

japanese styles

objects we use

people

people (agents)

people and culture

people by occupation

people in service occupations

performances

prints

prints by process

prints by process or technique

prostitutes

relief prints

styles and periods

styles and periods by region

visual works

visual works by medium or technique

Title

Complete Illustrations of Yoshiwara Parodies of Kabuki: Courtesans of the Matsubaya (Seirô kabuki yatsushiga tsukushi: Matsubaya no uchi)

Artist

Kitagawa Utamaro

Physical Description

This triptych shows courtesans in a garden of Yoshiwara under flowering trees. The inscribed names allow us to identify the women as courtesans of the Matsubaya House, centered on the grand courtesan Yoso’oi (in the central triptych, with the dragon-design obi). Flanking her on either side are two shinzô apprentices, and at the right, two kamuro or child attendants.

The courtesans at left interact with a puppet of the actor Ichikawa Danjûrô VI in his role as Sukeroku. The bearded older man in the center is the villain Hige no Ikyû, Sukeroku’s rival for the affections of the courtesan Agemaki.

Artist Life Dates

1754-1806

Century

18th century

Object Creation Date

1798

Accession Number

1948/1.186

Medium and Support

oban (large size) nishiki-e (full-color woodblock print) on paper, triptych

relevance

rank 5.49261

Secondary Keywords

transfer method

asian

east asian

entertainment events

events

japanese

japanese printmaking styles

japanese styles

objects we use

people

people (agents)

people and culture

people by occupation

people in service occupations

performances

prints

prints by process

prints by process or technique

prostitutes

relief prints

styles and periods

styles and periods by region

visual works

visual works by form

visual works by medium or technique

Title

Complete Illustrations of Yoshiwara Parodies of Kabuki: Courtesans of the Matsubaya (Seirô kabuki yatsushiga tsukushi: Matsubaya no uchi)

Artist

Kitagawa Utamaro

Physical Description

This triptych shows courtesans in a garden of Yoshiwara under flowering trees. The inscribed names allow us to identify the women as courtesans of the Matsubaya House, centered on the grand courtesan Yoso’oi (in the central triptych, with the dragon-design obi). Flanking her on either side are two shinzô apprentices, and at the right, two kamuro or child attendants.

The courtesans at left interact with a puppet of the actor Ichikawa Danjûrô VI in his role as Sukeroku. The bearded older man in the center is the villain Hige no Ikyû, Sukeroku’s rival for the affections of the courtesan Agemaki.

Artist Life Dates

1754-1806

Century

18th century

Object Creation Date

1798

Accession Number

1948/1.187

Medium and Support

oban (large size) nishiki-e (full-color woodblock print) on paper, triptych

relevance

rank 5.49261

Secondary Keywords

transfer method

asian

east asian

entertainment events

events

japanese

japanese printmaking styles

japanese styles

objects we use

people

people (agents)

people and culture

people by occupation

people in service occupations

performances

prints

prints by process

prints by process or technique

prostitutes

relief prints

styles and periods

styles and periods by region

visual works

visual works by form

visual works by medium or technique

Title

Grand Interior View of a Courtesan House in the Yoshiwara District (Yoshiwara o-magaki no zu, one of pentaptych)

Artist

Katsushika Hokusai

Physical Description

A group of 18 women inside a building wearing various kimono with the predominant colors being grey, red, black, and green. Some of the kimono also have orange coloring. The patterns and designs on the kimono vary from images of flowers to geometric designs. A rice paper door is seen in the background leading to a room at a slightly higher level and an image of a phoenix can be partially seen on the wall in the back and to the left. One of the women near the front is tying the string around a package while three other women near her are arranging small footed trays. One of the women in the forefront and to the left appears to be holding a cup or jar.

Artist Life Dates

1760 - 1849

Century

19th century

Object Creation Date

1811-1813

Accession Number

1938.2

Medium and Support

color woodblock print on paper, ôban tate-e size

relevance

rank 5.36226

Secondary Keywords

architectural elements

building divisions

buildings and the land

circulation elements

commercial buildings

components

components and systems

components by specific context

costume

costume by form

main garments

objects we use

people

people (agents)

people and culture

people by occupation

people in service occupations

prostitutes

rooms and spaces

rooms and spaces by location or context

service industry buildings

single built works

single built works by function

single built works by specific type

stairs and stair components

Title

Courtesans of the Chôjiya: Hinatsuru and Her Attendant

Artist

Kitagawa Utamaro

Physical Description

The kneeling figure in the foreground is grand courtesan Hinatsuru. Her kamuro (attendant) is arranging a vase of chrysanthemums beside her. The circular inset contains a poet and his poem addressed to the two of them:

In its wake

The autumn grasses wither.

Indeed, the mountain wind

Has now become a gale.

Artist Life Dates

(Edo, 1754 - 1806, Edo)

Century

18th century

Object Creation Date

circa 1790

Accession Number

1948/1.184

Medium and Support

Ôban (large size) nishiki-e (full-color woodblock print) on paper

relevance

rank 5.36001

Secondary Keywords

transfer method

asian

document genres

document genres by form

document genres for literary works

east asian

information forms

japanese

japanese printmaking styles

japanese styles

objects we use

people

people (agents)

people and culture

people by occupation

people in service occupations

prints

prints by process

prints by process or technique

prostitutes

relief prints

styles and periods

styles and periods by region

visual works

visual works by medium or technique

Title

Grand Interior View of a Courtesan House in the Yoshiwara District (Yoshiwara o-magaki no zu, one of pentaptych)

Artist

Katsushika Hokusai

Physical Description

A print of 15 women inside a building dressed in various kimono with the predominant colors being grey, red, black, and green. Some of the kimono also have orange coloring. The patterns and designs on the kimono vary from images of flowers to geometric designs. One male is kneeling towards the back and another man can be seen in the background leaving the room. Two women to the very back and left of the image appear to be adjusting their makeup. Three women to the front sit around a tea set (partially visable) and two women to their right are whispering to each other.

Artist Life Dates

1760 - 1849

Century

19th century

Object Creation Date

1811-1813

Accession Number

1938.3

Medium and Support

woodblock print on paper, ôban tate-e size

relevance

rank 5.26865

Secondary Keywords

building divisions

buildings and the land

commercial buildings

components

components and systems

components by specific context

costume

costume by form

dwellings

main garments

objects we use

people

people (agents)

people and culture

people by occupation

people in service occupations

physical activities

physical activities by general context

prostitutes

residential structures

rooms and spaces

rooms and spaces by location or context

service industry buildings

single built works

single built works by function

single built works by specific type

Title

Grand Interior View of a Courtesan House in the Yoshiwara District (Yoshiwara o-magaki no zu, one of pentaptych)

Artist

Katsushika Hokusai

Physical Description

A large group of young women inside a building surrounded by male servants. The women all wear various styles of kimono, though the predominant colors are red and green. The inside of the building is on the bottom floor with a set of steps leading up to a second floor, not depicted.

Artist Life Dates

1760 - 1849

Century

19th century

Object Creation Date

circa 1811-1813

Accession Number

1938.1

Medium and Support

color woodblock print on paper, ôban tate-e size

relevance

rank 5.13932

Secondary Keywords

architectural elements

building divisions

buildings and the land

circulation elements

commercial buildings

components

components and systems

components by specific context

costume

costume by form

dwellings

main garments

objects we use

people

people (agents)

people and culture

people by occupation

people in service occupations

physical activities

physical activities by general context

prostitutes

residential structures

rooms and spaces

rooms and spaces by location or context

service industry buildings

single built works

single built works by function

single built works by specific type

stairs and stair components

Title

Courtesan and client: parody of the Kiritsubo Chapter of the Tale of Genji (Mitate Genji Kiritsubo)

Artist

Okumura Masanobu

Physical Description

A monochrome print depicting two standing women and a reclining man in a room. The taller woman, a courtesan, wears an elaborate kimono of butterfly design and under-kimono of geometric patterns; her hair is tied on the back, wearing tortoise shell comb and hairpin. She is holding skirts of kimono and under-kimono with her right hand and is hiding her left hand under the kimono. The second woman, an attendant, is standing behind the courtesan, holding a doll of a boy and her face turning away. She wears a plain kimono with pine tree design and obi (sash) with striped patterns. The man is reclining and looking toward the courtesan. They seem to engage in conversation. The man wears kimono with design of coins and short jacket with plaid patterns. His hair is shaved on top and tied on the back. There is a folded screen behind him, depicting a plum tree by river. In front of him, there are a sake pitcher, sake cup and its stand, and a bowl with food accompanied by a tray and chopsticks. There is a title of the print in cartouche at upper right.

Artist Life Dates

1686-1764

Century

18th century

Object Creation Date

1711-1716

Accession Number

1948/1.198

Medium and Support

Oban (large-size) sumizurii-e (monochrome woodblock print) on paper

relevance

rank 5.11044

Secondary Keywords

animals and creatures

arthropods

buildings and the land

commercial buildings

deciduous trees

furnishings

furnishings by form or function

furniture

furniture by form or function

insects

landscapes (environments)

natural landscapes

objects we use

people

people (agents)

people and culture

people by occupation

people in service occupations

plants

prostitutes

service industry buildings

settlements and landscapes

single built works

single built works by function

single built works by specific type

trees

trees by leaf life

vegetation and vegetation components

vegetation components

woody plants

Title

Japanese Beauty in a Red Maple Leaf Robe

Artist

Yamaguchi Soken (Sojun)

Physical Description

This image is of a lone female figure centrally located on the scroll. The dominate color of the image is red. The figure's outer kimono is decorated with red and gold maple leaves.

Artist Life Dates

1759-1818

Century

19th century

Object Creation Date

early 19th century

Accession Number

1985/2.7

Medium and Support

hanging scroll, ink and color on silk

relevance

rank 4.95857

Secondary Keywords

aesthetic concepts

asia (continent)

asian

associated concepts

buildings and the land

costume

costume by form

deciduous trees

east asian

geographic and political locations

japanese

japanese printmaking styles

japanese styles

landscapes (environments)

main garments

natural landscapes

objects we use

paintings

paintings by form

people

people (agents)

people and culture

people by gender

people by occupation

people in service occupations

philosophical concepts

plants

prostitutes

scroll paintings

settlements and landscapes

styles and periods

styles and periods by region

trees

trees by leaf life

vegetation and vegetation components

vegetation components

visual works

visual works by medium or technique

woody plants