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Takigawa of the Ōgiya from the series A Selection of Eastern Beauties
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The courtesan Takigawa worked for the Ōgiya, "House of Fans" brothel, one of the most prestigious in the Yoshiwara. Here, she smokes tobacco, a fashionable trend in 18th-century Edo. Fashion-conscious women in Edo purchased prints of the most famous beauties just as contemporary women buy fashion magazines to learn about the latest styles in make-up and hair. The strands of hair at her temple were printed from thin pieces of wood left in relief when the areas on either side of them were carved away.
| Artist / Maker | Kitagawa Utamaro |
|---|---|
| Date | c. 1798 |
| Culture / Origin | Japan, Edo period (1615–1868) |
| Medium | color woodblock print |
| Dimensions | Sheet: 33 x 22.3 cm (13 x 8 3/4 in.) |
| Department | Japanese Art |
| Type |
About the Artist
Kitagawa Utamaro (Japanese, c. 1754–1806) 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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