Courtesan Hinazuru of the Chōjiya House
On View In:
Gallery 239
Artist:   Eishi Cho_bunsai
Yohachi Nishimuraya  
Title:   Courtesan Hinazuru of the Chōjiya House  
Date:   c. 1794-1795  
Medium:   Woodblock print (nishiki-e); ink and color on paper  
Dimensions:   14 1/2 x 10 in. (36.8 x 25.4 cm) (image, sheet)  
Credit Line:   Gift of Louis W. Hill, Jr.  
Location:   Gallery 239  

This print is from a series that depicts six of the most famous courtesans from the Yoshiwara, Edo's licensed pleasure quarter. It shows the courtesan Hinazuru looking over her shoulder, as if someone has just called her name. In front of her is a green bookstand casually covered by a red cloth. More books litter the floor, suggesting that we are peeking into her private room. She sits upon a carpet woven with an exotic arabesques pattern indicating that it was probably imported. All these details, as well as her splendid dress, imply a high level of sophistication and luxury. Such images held a strong allure for men, who dreamed of visiting such women. Their wives, too, took an interest in such prints, studying them for information about the latest fashions and interior décor.

Artist/Creator(s)     
Name:   Cho_bunsai, Eishi  
Nationality:   Japanese  
Life Dates:   Japanese, 1756 - 1829  
 
Name:   Nishimuraya, Yohachi  
Role:   Publisher  
Nationality:   Japanese  
Life Dates:   Japanese  
 

Object Description  
  
Inscriptions:   Eishi ga Censor:kiwame Publisher:Eijudo_  
Classification:   Prints  
Creation Place:   Asia, Japan, , ,  
Accession #:   P.70.171  
Owner:   The Minneapolis Institute of Arts