Art Institute of Chicago

The Courtesan Takikawa of Ogiya, from the series Seven Beautiful Komachi (Bijin nana Komachi)

Utagawa Toyokuni I 初代 歌川 豊国

Date

Edo period (1615–1868), about 1794

Medium

Color woodblock print; oban

Culture

Japan

Department

Arts of Asia

Institution

Art Institute of Chicago

A high-ranking courtesan (identifiable as such by her name, clothing, and many hair ornaments) sits in her room with her pipe and tobacco accessories. The hanging scroll behind her shows an image of an elderly Ono no Komachi, who is resting on a log in the shape of a Buddhist stupa, a dome-like structure used for meditation. Because of its form, the log was considered a sacred object, and according to legend, a passing priest admonished the poet for sitting on it. In response, she composed the poem inscribed above the image: If the stupa were within Paradise, It would indeed be wicked to sit on it, But if it is outside, Can it be such a terrible thing? (Translation by Roy E. Teele)

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