Prostitute of Osaka, Left Sheet, c. 1745
Woodblock print (beni-e); ink on paper, with hand-applied colorexpand_more
Bequest of Richard P. Galeexpand_more 74.1.59
Not on Viewexpand_more
This print was originally one of a set of three prints. In each print, a young female attendant accompanies a sumptuously dressed woman who is meant to embody one of Japan's major cities: Osaka (shown here), Kyoto, and Edo. In the case of Osaka, the attendant carries a sake ewer and a cup on a ceremonial serving stand. Her mistress seems to be engrossed in a love letter. Each of the prints also bears a poem that associates a flower or tree with the city. In this example, the poem likens the whitened faces of prostitutes to plum blossoms in early springtime:
The setting sun
In the first month
Brings made-up faces of
Plum blossoms.
Details
- Title
- Prostitute of Osaka, Left Sheet
- Artist Life
- 1711 - 1785
- Role
- Artist
- Accession Number
- 74.1.59
- Curator Approved
This record has been reviewed by our curatorial staff but may be incomplete. These records are frequently revised and enhanced. If you notice a mistake or have additional information about this object, please email collectionsdata@artsmia.org.
Does something look wrong with this image? Let us know
Zoom in on the left to the detail you'd like to save. Click 'Save detail' and wait until the image updates. Right click the image to 'save image as' or copy link, or click the image to open in a new tab.