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Yoshiwara Courtesan

Kikugawa Eizan
ca. 1815

A high ranking courtesan from the Yoshiwara red-light district lies with a customer under layers of bedding. The couple are surrounded by gifts (expensive robes and furnishings) from various wealthy clients. To the left is a black lacquered cabinet with gold detailing, which were used to store precious items such as makeup, hair ornaments, and other personal accessories. Next to it is a portable tobacco set, with a pipe, a small brazier for lighting and a container for tobacco, suggesting a custom of enjoying leisurely smoking breaks. To the right is a folding screen depicting a temple surrounded by pine trees in the mountains (a motif representing the autumnal months), while a ban-sugoroku (board-sugoroku) table is stationed nearby. Ban-sugoroku was a popular board game in the Edo period, it was a gambling game (similar to Backgammon) which provided entertainment and a way to pass time for both courtesans and their clients.


Above the couple is humorous dialogue, with the customer praising the woman, saying, "Your skin is whiter than the reflection of the rising sun on snow, and soft and smooth like white habutae silk. To touch it is indescribable." Habutae silk, known for its smooth and lustrous texture, was highly valued and often used for making luxurious kimonos. Encouraging his advances, the courtesan responds, "Oh yes, go deeper into me, and strongly. Hold me tightly. Ooh, ooh, uh, uh."


This work is the eleventh design from the series "Selections from the Brocade Quarter" (E-awase Kinkaisho), which consists of twelve works.

Additional information

It is possible that object information will be updated as new research findings are discovered. Please email kentonicollection@gmail.com if you can improve this record.

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