Prostitute with Sake Cup, c. 1794
Utagawa Toyokuniexpand_more
Ink, color, and gofun on silkexpand_more
Bequest of Richard P. Galeexpand_more 74.1.171
Not on Viewexpand_more
With her obi tied in front of her body and elaborate coiffure, this woman probably represents a prostitute from one of Edo's licensed pleasure quarters. Slightly tipsy with sake, she coquettishly stifles a laugh as she watches some amusing scene or engages in clever conversation. The red lacquered cup in her left hand is half full, suggesting the party is still going on. Compared to the somewhat static and idealistic portraits produced by early ukiyo-e artists, this is a much more lively depiction, reflecting the evolving taste for greater realism towards the end of the 18th century. The woman's semi-transparent, loosely woven black kimono suggests that it is summer, and the verse above, written by Shōtoshi, complains of the shortness of summer nights:
How quickly the day has broken!
Here comes the voice of a cuckoo.
A summer night is too brief.
Details
- Title
- Prostitute with Sake Cup
- Artist Life
- 1769 - 1825
- Role
- Artist
- Accession Number
- 74.1.171
- Catalogue Raisonne
- Hillier, Gale Collection, vol. 2, no. 171
- 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.
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