Minneapolis Institute of Art

Courtesan of Osaka, Left Sheet

Ishikawa Toyonobu; Publisher: Urokogataya Magobei

Date: c. 1745
Medium: Woodblock print (beni-e), ink on paper, with hand-applied color
Department: Asian Art
Institution: Minneapolis Institute of Art

This print was originally one of a set of three prints. In each print, a young female attendant accompanies a sumptuously dressed woman who is meant to embody one of Japan's major cities: Osaka (shown here), Kyoto, and Edo. In the case of Osaka, the attendant carries a sake ewer and a cup on a ceremonial serving stand. Her mistress seems to be engrossed in a love letter. Each of the prints also bears a poem that associates a flower or tree with the city. In this example, the poem likens the whitened faces of prostitutes to plum blossoms in early springtime: The setting sun In the first month Brings made-up faces of Plum blossoms. Asia

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