A Tea-house Waitress

ca. 1795

Not on view

Utamaro dramatically changes the image of the teahouse beauty in this half-length portrait of Okita, the famous waitress of the Naniwa-ya teahouse in Edo. He depicts Okita as not only a local beauty but also as a subject of admiration, an ideal woman. Eliminating every narrative element, he goes so far as to create a pure icon. The cup and tray, like attributes in a religious painting, now serve only to identify her as a teahouse waitress. The silver mica, which Utamaro is credited with being the first to use, shines like a mirror, making the figure stand out as if in bold relief. It also brightens the entire scene and glorifies Okita's beauty.

Artwork Details

吾妻美人ゑらみ
Title: A Tea-house Waitress
Artist: Kitagawa Utamaro (Japanese, ca. 1754–1806)
Period: Edo period (1615–1868)
Date: ca. 1795
Culture: Japan
Medium: Album of eighty-nine prints; ink and color on paper
Dimensions: H. 13 in. (33 cm); W. 14 in. (35.6 cm)
Classification: Prints
Credit Line: Rogers Fund, 1919
Object Number: JP1112
Curatorial Department: Asian Art

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“Preparing Food for the Warbler,” from the album Men’s Stamping Dance (Otoko dōka, uguisu no esa suri)

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