Street Scene in Yoshiwara

late 17th century

Not on view

In this Yoshiwara scene by Moronobu, the originator of ukiyo-e prints, a courtesan leans on the lattice of a teahouse window and converses with a samurai who has draped a coat over his head. This attempt to cloak his identity only serves to attract the attention of the courtesan playing the samisen and the passersby. The profile view of the girl's face, which is unusual in ukiyo-e prints, emphasizes the interest with which she watches the exchange. The focus of the print is the interaction between the inside, which is framed within the barred window of the teahouse, and the outside. Those on the inside look out, and those on the outside look in.

Artwork Details

Overview

Provenance

Exhibition History

References

Title: Street Scene in Yoshiwara
Artist: Hishikawa Moronobu 菱川師宣 (Japanese, 1618–1694)
Period: Edo period (1615–1868)
Date: late 17th century
Culture: Japan
Medium: Monochrome woodblock print; ink on paper
Dimensions: 10 3/4 x 15 1/4 in. (27.3 x 38.7 cm)
Classification: Prints
Credit Line: Bequest of Julia H. Manges, in memory of her husband, Dr. Morris Manges, 1960
Object Number: JP3402
Curatorial Department: Asian Art

More Artwork

By Hishikawa Moronobu 菱川師宣

In the same medium

From the same time and place

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Leaf from One Hundred Japanese Women, Hishikawa Moronobu 菱川師宣 Japanese, Monochrome woodblock print; ink on paper, Japan — Leaf from One Hundred Japanese Women
Hishikawa Moronobu 菱川師宣
ca. 1695

Two Young Samurai, Hishikawa Moronobu 菱川師宣 Japanese, Woodblock print; ink and color on paper, Japan — Two Young Samurai
Hishikawa Moronobu 菱川師宣
ca. 1680

Scene in the Yoshiwara, Hishikawa Moronobu 菱川師宣 Japanese, Woodblock print; ink and color on paper, Japan — Scene in the Yoshiwara
Hishikawa Moronobu 菱川師宣
ca. 1680

Two Lovers, Hishikawa Moronobu 菱川師宣 Japanese, Woodblock print; ink and color on paper, Japan — Two Lovers
Hishikawa Moronobu 菱川師宣
ca. 1675–80

The Entrance to Ageya-machi, from the series Scenes in the Yoshiwara (Yoshiwara no tei), Hishikawa Moronobu 菱川師宣 Japanese, Woodblock print (sumizuri-e); ink on paper, Japan — The Entrance to Ageya-machi, from the series Scenes in the Yoshiwara (Yoshiwara no tei)
Hishikawa Moronobu 菱川師宣
1681–84

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