Akashi of the Tamaya, from the series Seven Komachis of Yoshiwara (Seiro nana Komachi) (Tamaya uchi Akashi, Uraji, Shimano)
- Series:
- Seven Komachis of Yoshiwara
- Medium:
- Woodblock print
- Format:
- Oban
- Source:
- Art Institute of Chicago
Description
This print depicts Akashi of the Tamaya, accompanied by two junior courtesans (Uraji and Shimano), from the "Seven Komachis of Yoshiwara" series — a group of compositions comparing famous Yoshiwara courtesans to the legendary Heian beauty Ono no Komachi. Dated to around 1789, the work presents the group in a formal, hierarchical arrangement typical of brothel-hierarchy prints. The "Seven Komachi" framework elevated contemporary courtesans to a classical literary register.
More Prints by Kitagawa Utamaro
Hour of the Tiger (Tora no koku = 4 AM) from the series Twelve Hours in Yoshiwara (Seirô jûni toki tsuzuki), Late Edo period, circa 1794
Woodblock print
Ikebana arrangement of Peony and Willow in Dragon Pot
1781–1806
Woodblock print (nishiki-e), ink and color on paper
The Greatest Beauties of Our Time (Toji zensei bijin zoroe): Somenosuke of the Matsubaya with Attendants Wakagi and Wakaba
Woodblock print
Beauty and Attendant on New Year’s Day, from the series “Pleasures for Beauties on the Five Festival Days" ("Bijin gosetsu no asobi")
c. 1800
Color woodblock print; ōban
More Figures Prints
Featured in Collections
Curated cross-cuts that include this print.
Frequently Asked Questions
Akashi of the Tamaya, from the series Seven Komachis of Yoshiwara (Seiro nana Komachi) (Tamaya uchi Akashi, Uraji, Shimano) was created by Kitagawa Utamaro (喜多川歌麿).
Yes — Akashi of the Tamaya, from the series Seven Komachis of Yoshiwara (Seiro nana Komachi) (Tamaya uchi Akashi, Uraji, Shimano) is part of the Seven Komachis of Yoshiwara series by Kitagawa Utamaro.
Akashi of the Tamaya, from the series Seven Komachis of Yoshiwara (Seiro nana Komachi) (Tamaya uchi Akashi, Uraji, Shimano) depicts figures, bijin-ga, and yoshiwara.