Courtesan and her Attendant under a Cherry Tree

early 19th century

Not on view

A high-ranking courtesan, bedecked in a striking black surcoat decorated with a peacock feather motif, pauses in her stroll outside during the peak of cherry blossom season. She is accompanied by a girl attendant (kamuro) adorned in a coordinated set of garments and obi. The scene is set in the Yoshiwara pleasure quarters, where the custom of temporarily planting a row of cherry trees down the middle of Nakanochō, the central boulevard of the district, had arisen by the mid-eighteenth century. Courtesans and other brothel employees enjoyed a day’s holiday, a “Flower-Viewing Day,” in the third month. On this day, courtesans could picnic in the Ueno Hills or in the Sensōji Temple in Asakusa, on Mukōjima, across the Sumida River—locations that were famous for their cherry trees.

Recognized as the founder of the Utagawa school, Utagawa Toyoharu both created paintings and designed prints. He earned esteem for his mastery of “Western-style perspective” and for placing figures in landscapes.

Artwork Details

歌川豊春筆　桜下遊女と禿
Title:
Courtesan and her Attendant under a Cherry Tree
Artist: Utagawa Toyoharu (Japanese, 1735–1814)
Period: Edo period (1615–1868)
Date: early 19th century
Culture: Japan
Medium: Hanging scroll; ink and color on silk
Dimensions: Image: 35 5/16 in. × 14 in. (89.7 × 35.5 cm)
Overall with mounting: 67 1/2 × 18 3/8 in. (171.5 × 46.7 cm)
Overall with knobs: 67 1/2 × 20 1/2 in. (171.5 × 52.1 cm)
Classification: Paintings
Credit Line: Mary Griggs Burke Collection, Gift of the Mary and Jackson Burke Foundation, 2015
Object Number: 2015.300.146
Curatorial Department: Asian Art

More Artwork

By Utagawa Toyoharu

In the same medium

From the same time and place

A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.

Perspective Print: Shinobazu Pond, Utagawa Toyoharu Japanese, Woodblock print; ink and color on paper, Japan — Perspective Print: Shinobazu Pond
Utagawa Toyoharu

Battle of Ichi–no–tani, March 21, 1184, Utagawa Toyoharu Japanese, Woodblock print; ink and color on paper, Japan — Battle of Ichi–no–tani, March 21, 1184
Utagawa Toyoharu

Tea–house; Scene entitled: "Viewing the Moon in mid–autumn", Utagawa Toyoharu Japanese, Woodblock print; ink and color on paper, Japan — Tea–house; Scene entitled: "Viewing the Moon in mid–autumn"
Utagawa Toyoharu

Sakaichō Fukiyachō Kaomise Yoshibai no Zu, Utagawa Toyoharu Japanese, Woodblock print; ink and color on paper, Japan — Sakaichō Fukiyachō Kaomise Yoshibai no Zu
Utagawa Toyoharu
ca. 1780

Cooling at Nakazu/ Kabuki Theater, Utagawa Toyoharu Japanese, Woodblock print; ink and color on paper, Japan — Cooling at Nakazu/ Kabuki Theater
Utagawa Toyoharu

Research Resources

The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.

To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.

Feedback

We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.