Object Type
Woodblock prints such as this were produced in large numbers in 18th- and 19th-century Japan. Images were generally printed on paper of a standard size. Here three such sheets have been used to create a larger picture. Woodblock prints are sometimes called ukiyo-e, which means 'pictures of the floating world'. This world was that of the pleasure district with its brothels, theatres and teahouses.

Subjects Depicted
This print depicts the courtesan Takao holding a celebration to display her new bedclothes. Takao is shown in the centre with her guest Sawamura Gennosuke I, one of the most popular actors of his day. On the right a young courtesan and attendant wrap congratulatory money in paper and another actor, Iwai Kiyotaro, drinks sake. Two geisha provide musical entertainment and an attendant brings in stacked boxes of noodles.

Materials & Making
The production of Japanese woodblock prints was a group activity orchestrated by a specialist publisher, in this case one of the most famous, Tsutaya Juzaburo. He commissioned the artist, Kitagawa Tsukimaro, to produce a sketch. A detailed drawing based on this sketch was given to a block cutter, who created one block for the black outline of the image and further blocks for each of the colours to be used. These were passed to a printer. Pigments applied to the blocks were printed on to sheets of paper by rubbing from behind with a flat round disc known as a baren. About 200 copies of a design were printed at a time.