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Beauty of the Yoshiwara with Apprentice in Moonlight

Teisai Hokuba Japanese
19th century
Not on view
Among the most splendid sights and sounds of the Yoshiwara pleasure quarters was that of an elaborately dressed courtesan in procession with her entourage and the clattering cadence of their footsteps in high, lacquered clogs. This beauty's sumptuous, lavender-colored outer garment featuring three-dimensional wisteria blossoms is worn over layered robes, all rendered in extraordinary detail, including an elaborate obi decorated with a lion and peonies in gold. Her coiffeur boasts an assortment of tortoiseshell combs and long hair ornaments. Only the full moon, a pale orb rendered against faint washes of ink, and two geese in flight in the upper section of the scroll suggest an outdoor evening setting. The artist Teisai Hokuba, a principal student of Katsushika Hokusai, produced many surimono prints and was highly skilled in the minute depiction of details.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Beauty of the Yoshiwara with Apprentice in Moonlight
  • Artist: Teisai Hokuba (Japanese, 1771–1844)
  • Period: Edo period (1615–1868)
  • Date: 19th century
  • Culture: Japan
  • Medium: Hanging scroll; ink, color, and gold on silk
  • Dimensions: Image: 37 1/4 × 12 3/8 in. (94.6 × 31.4 cm)
    Overall with mounting: 69 1/2 × 16 7/8 in. (176.5 × 42.9 cm)
    Overall with knobs: 69 1/2 × 19 in. (176.5 × 48.3 cm)
  • Classification: Paintings
  • Credit Line: Purchase, Friends of Asian Art Gifts, 2003
  • Object Number: 2003.265
  • Curatorial Department: Asian Art

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Puppeteer, Teisai Hokuba Japanese, Hanging scroll; ink and color on paper, Japan
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Dried Cuttle-Fish and Plum Blossoms, Teisai Hokuba Japanese, Woodblock print (surimono); ink and color on paper, Japan
Dried Cuttle-Fish and Plum Blossoms
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Three Young Ladies Visiting Together, Teisai Hokuba Japanese, Woodblock print (surimono); ink and color on paper, Japan
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Geisha Girl Hurrying with a Maid Servant Who is Carrying a Shamisen Box, Teisai Hokuba Japanese, Woodblock print (surimono); ink and color on paper, Japan
Geisha Girl Hurrying with a Maid Servant Who is Carrying a Shamisen Box
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Scene from the Noh Dance "Shojo", Teisai Hokuba Japanese, Part of an album of woodblock prints (surimono); ink and color on paper, Japan
Scene from the Noh Dance "Shojo"
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