Accession Number
1948/1.184

Title
Courtesans of the Chôjiya: Hinatsuru and Her Attendant

Artist(s)
Kitagawa Utamaro

Artist Nationality
Japanese (culture or style)

Object Creation Date
circa 1790

Medium & Support
Ôban (large size) nishiki-e (full-color woodblock print) on paper

Dimensions
14 3/4 in. x 9 3/4 in. ( 37.5 cm x 24.8 cm )

Credit Line
Bequest of Margaret Watson Parker

Label copy
The kneeling figure in the foreground is the grand courtesan, Hinatsuru, which means “young crane.” Her kamuro (attendant) is arranging a vase of chrysanthemums. The circular inset contains a poet and his poem addressed to the two of them:
In its wake
The autumn grasses wither.
Indeed, the mountain wind
Has now become a gale.
This print was designed as an advertisement poster for the tea-house.

Subject matter
In this print designed as an advertisement poster for the tea-house, the grand courtesan, Hinatsuru, which means “young crane,” and her kamuro (attendant) are depicted as elegant and desirable beauties. The circular inset contains a poet and his poem addressed to the two of them:
In its wake
The autumn grasses wither.
Indeed, the mountain wind
Has now become a gale.

Physical Description
The kneeling figure in the foreground is grand courtesan Hinatsuru. Her kamuro (attendant) is arranging a vase of chrysanthemums beside her. The circular inset contains a poet and his poem addressed to the two of them:
In its wake
The autumn grasses wither.
Indeed, the mountain wind
Has now become a gale.

Primary Object Classification
Print

Primary Object Type
color print

Collection Area
Asian

Rights
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Keywords
Ukiyo-e
courtesans
poems