Artwork Page for Courtesans Promenading on the Nakanochō

Details / Information for Courtesans Promenading on the Nakanochō

Courtesans Promenading on the Nakanochō

仲之町の花魁道中

c. 1790

Utagawa Toyokuni 歌川 豊国

(Japanese, 1769–1825)
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Culture
Japan, Edo period (1615–1868)
Medium
One of a triptych of color woodblock prints
Measurements
Each: 37.8 x 25.8 cm (14 7/8 x 10 3/16 in.)
Credit Line
Bequest of Edward L. Whittemore 1930.211.b
Public Domain
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Location
Not on view
Print

Description

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.
A vertically oriented woodblock print depicts three women with light skin tones and white faces walking toward our right in patterned robes of tan, cream, and black. They wear large sashes featuring circular and geometric designs. A man and two children accompany them. To our left, a long building with lanterns extends toward a wooden gate in the background. Columns of Japanese calligraphy appear in the lower corners.

Courtesans Promenading on the Nakanochō

c. 1790

Utagawa Toyokuni

(Japanese, 1769–1825)
Japan, Edo period (1615–1868)

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