Woman of the Yoshiwara
- Date:
- 1753–1806
- Medium:
- color woodblock print
- Format:
- Oban
- Dimensions:
- 32.4 × 22.6 cm
- Source:
- Cleveland Museum of Art
Description
This color woodblock print from Utamaro's working years depicts a woman associated with the Yoshiwara — a figure from the world of the licensed quarters rendered in the bijin-ga mode that defined his mature output. Without a more specific title, the composition presents the Yoshiwara woman as an aesthetic type rather than a named individual, participating in the genre's broader project of documenting and idealizing the female inhabitants of the pleasure district.
More Prints by Kitagawa Utamaro
Akashi of the Tamaya, from the series Seven Komachis of Yoshiwara (Seiro nana Komachi) (Tamaya uchi Akashi, Uraji, Shimano)
Woodblock print
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
More Figures Prints
Featured in Collections
Curated cross-cuts that include this print.
Frequently Asked Questions
Woman of the Yoshiwara was created by Kitagawa Utamaro (喜多川歌麿) in 1753–1806.
Woman of the Yoshiwara depicts figures, bijin-ga, and portraits.
Woman of the Yoshiwara measures 32.4 × 22.6 cm (Oban format).