Seven Wise Women of the Pleasure Quarters

c. mid 1780s

Katsukawa Shunshō

Katsukawa Shunshō (Japanese, 1726–1792)

Japanese Art

Seven Wise Women of the Pleasure Quarters, c. mid 1780s. Katsukawa Shunshō (Japanese, 1726–1792). Color woodblock print; sheet: 24.8 x 36.6 cm (9 3/4 x 14 7/16 in.). The Cleveland Museum of Art, Bequest of James Parmelee 1940.1022 The courtesan standing at the center of this print holds a writing brush. She is identified by the fan in her left hand, which has a poem signed Hanaōgi, or Flower-Fan. This print is a play on the Chinese theme of the Seven Sages of the Bamboo Grove.

Original Source

Maker/Artist: Katsukawa Shunshō
Classification: Print
Formatted Medium: color woodblock print
Medium: color, woodblock, print
Dimensions: Sheet: 24.8 x 36.6 cm (9 3/4 x 14 7/16 in.)
Inscribed: Inscription: Signature: Shunsho ga Artist Seal: kakihan
Departments: Japanese Art
Accession Number: 1940.1022
Credit Line: Bequest of James Parmelee
Exhibitions: Later Japanese Rotation (Gallery 113); March 18 - July 13, 2004.
Rights Statement: CC0