Ukiyo-e Print: Oiran Courtesans, Yoshitora Brothel, Japan, Meiji Period, 19th Century

Japanese print on Ukiyo-e**-style paper, in three parts (in the form of an oban triptych), depicting a lively scene at the Kimpeiro brothel in Shin-Yoshiwara, Tokyo, signed by the artist Utagawa Yoshitora*, from the Meiji period in the 19th century.

A balcony with a Western-style balustrade is visible, featuring French-style glass windows at the rear. Numerous courtesans (oiran), accompanied by their young attendants (kamuro), wear richly embroidered kimonos and elaborate hairstyles (with hairpins and combs). The courtesans’ names are shown in small red cartouches beside them. A print on the same theme by the same artist is housed at the Victoria & Albert Museum in London.

This print is in good condition; it is mounted under glass in a later frame. Signed—see photos.

Please note: there is some wear on the paper; please examine the photos carefully.

was a ukiyo-e-style woodblock print artist and an illustrator of books and newspapers active from around 1850 to 1880. He was born in Edo (Tokyo), but his dates of birth and death are unknown. He was a student of Utagawa Kuniyoshi, who excelled at paintings of warriors, kabuki actors, beautiful women, and foreigners.

a Japanese term meaning “pictures of the floating world”) is a Japanese artistic movement of the Edo period (1603–1868) comprising not only original, popular, and narrative paintings but also, and above all, Japanese woodblock prints. The main themes are Bijinga (“Paintings of Beautiful Women”), Kabuki and yakusha-e (images of Kabuki theater and its actors), Shunga (erotic paintings), landscapes (fkei-ga) and “famous views” (meisho-e), as well as flora and fauna.

• Frame 82 cm x 46.5 cmImage area: 70.5 cm x 35 cm
• G40 94
• All photos can be found at:
  www.antiques-delaval.com