Art Institute of Chicago

Courtesan Walking

Kaigetsudo Anchi

Date

c. 1714

Medium

Hand-colored woodblock print; tan-e, vertical o-oban

Culture

Japan

Department

Arts of Asia

Institution

Art Institute of Chicago

Woodblock prints are regarded as the most characteristic expression of the Japanese artistic genius. Great quantities of this popular art form, called ukiyo-e ("pictures of the floating world"), were made during the Edo period (1603-1868) and sold inexpensively to a pleasure-seeking public captivated by Kabuki theater, sumo wrestling, and the brothel districts. Prints such as Kaigetsudo's hand-painted Courtesan display a freedom and originality that were not possible in the rendering of tradition-bound religious images. The beautiful woman clutches her billowing kimono, which has been decorated with the words of a poem whose author is depicted in the lining.

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