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Courtesans Promenading on the Nakanochō
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Nakanochō was the main street in Yoshiwara, a famous walled pleasure district that housed as many as 4,000 courtesans. In the early evening, elaborately dressed courtesans accompanied by attendants promenaded on the central thoroughfare, as in this scene. The open buildings with shop curtains hanging from their eaves are teahouses, establishments where men could arrange appointments with courtesans of the more prestigious brothels.
| Artist / Maker | Utagawa Toyokuni |
|---|---|
| Date | c. 1790 |
| Culture / Origin | Japan, Edo period (1615–1868) |
| Medium | triptych of color woodblock prints |
| Dimensions | Each: 37.8 x 25.8 cm (14 7/8 x 10 3/16 in.) |
| Department | Japanese Art |
| Type |
About the Artist
Utagawa Toyokuni (Japanese, 1769–1825) Full biography →
Provenance & Source
Image & data: Cleveland Museum of Art, CC0 / Public Domain.
Condition
A detailed condition report and high-resolution photography are available from our specialists in advance of the sale.
Shipping & Collection
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