The Courtesan Kisegawa and Attendants Takeno and Sasano of the Matsubaya House
Woodblock Print
1791-1793 (Made)
1791-1793 (Made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
'Pictures of the Floating World', the literal translation of 'ukiyo-e', refers to the licensed brothel and theatre districts of Japan's major cities in the Edo period (1615-1868). Inhabited by prostitutes and Kabuki actors, these were the playgrounds of the newly wealthy merchant class.
Despite their low status in the strict social hierarchy of the time, actors and courtesans (high-class prostitutes) became the style icons of their day. Their fashions spread to the general populace via inexpensive woodblock prints.
Kisegawa was the most popular courtesan of the Matsubaya House in the Yoshiwara entertainment district of Edo (modern-day Tokyo). Here Utamaro shows her taking a stroll with two young attendants, Takeno and Sasano.
Bringing images of famous and glamorous people to a mass audience, such prints functioned much like celebrity magazines and websites today.
Despite their low status in the strict social hierarchy of the time, actors and courtesans (high-class prostitutes) became the style icons of their day. Their fashions spread to the general populace via inexpensive woodblock prints.
Kisegawa was the most popular courtesan of the Matsubaya House in the Yoshiwara entertainment district of Edo (modern-day Tokyo). Here Utamaro shows her taking a stroll with two young attendants, Takeno and Sasano.
Bringing images of famous and glamorous people to a mass audience, such prints functioned much like celebrity magazines and websites today.
Object details
| Category | |
| Object type | |
| Title | The Courtesan Kisegawa and Attendants Takeno and Sasano of the Matsubaya House (generic title) |
| Materials and techniques | Colour print from woodblocks |
| Brief description | Pap, Japan, prints |
| Physical description | Colours printed on paper |
| Dimensions |
|
| Styles | |
| Object history | Purchased from E. Bella, accessioned in 1895. This acquisition information reflects that found in the Asia Department registers, as part of a 2022 provenance research project. |
| Summary | 'Pictures of the Floating World', the literal translation of 'ukiyo-e', refers to the licensed brothel and theatre districts of Japan's major cities in the Edo period (1615-1868). Inhabited by prostitutes and Kabuki actors, these were the playgrounds of the newly wealthy merchant class. Despite their low status in the strict social hierarchy of the time, actors and courtesans (high-class prostitutes) became the style icons of their day. Their fashions spread to the general populace via inexpensive woodblock prints. Kisegawa was the most popular courtesan of the Matsubaya House in the Yoshiwara entertainment district of Edo (modern-day Tokyo). Here Utamaro shows her taking a stroll with two young attendants, Takeno and Sasano. Bringing images of famous and glamorous people to a mass audience, such prints functioned much like celebrity magazines and websites today. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | E.429-1895 |
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| Record created | March 25, 2009 |
| Record URL |
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