Courtesans Promenading on the Nakanochō
c. 1790
Utagawa Toyokuni
Utagawa Toyokuni (Japanese, 1769–1825)
Japanese Art
Courtesans Promenading on the Nakanochō, c. 1790. Utagawa Toyokuni (Japanese, 1769–1825). One of a triptych of color woodblock prints; each: 37.5 x 25.4 cm (14 3/4 x 10 in.). The Cleveland Museum of Art, Bequest of Edward L. Whittemore 1930.211.a 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.
- Maker/Artist
- Utagawa Toyokuni
- Classification
- Formatted Medium
- One of a triptych of color woodblock prints
- Dimensions
- Each: 37.5 x 25.4 cm (14 3/4 x 10 in.)
- Inscribed
- Inscription: Signature: Toyokuni ga Publisher: Izumiya Ichibei (Senichi han)
- Departments
- Japanese Art
- Accession Number
- 1930.211.a
- Credit Line
- Bequest of Edward L. Whittemore
- Exhibitions
- Transformations in Japanese Printmaking, <em>Ukiyo-e: The Floating World Revisited</em>. Portland Art Museum, Portland, OR (October 26-December 30, 1993);The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (February 2–April 3, 1994).cat. II-29, <em>Visions of Japan: Prints and Paintings from Cleveland Collections</em>. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (December 12, 2004-April 10, 2005).
- Rights Statement
- CC0
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