Courtesan Holding a Poetry Slip
On loan to The Met
This work of art is currently on loan to the museum.An elegant courtesan, hair fastened with crimson ties and a constellation of hairpins, turns to glance behind her while holding a poetry slip (tanzaku). Her red kimono is decorated with cherry blossoms and spider webs, while her outer robe, with its design of courtier’s caps and plum branches, appears as though it is about to slip from her shoulders. The motifs of cherry and plum are references to spring, while the tanzaku and courtier’s caps are likely allusions to aristocratic poets of classical literature, perhaps most specifically the ninth-century amorous poet Ariwara no Narihira.
Although Eishi’s early training was in the academic style of the Kano atelier masters, he switched his allegiance to the Ukiyo-e school, specializing in paintings and prints of refined, high-ranking courtesans.
Although Eishi’s early training was in the academic style of the Kano atelier masters, he switched his allegiance to the Ukiyo-e school, specializing in paintings and prints of refined, high-ranking courtesans.
Artwork Details
- 鳥文斎栄之筆 正雄賛 立美人図
- Title: Courtesan Holding a Poetry Slip
- Artist: Chōbunsai Eishi (Japanese, 1756–1829)
- Period: Edo period (1615–1868)
- Date: ca. 1810–15
- Culture: Japan
- Medium: Hanging scroll; ink, color, and gold on silk
- Dimensions: Image: 33 1/4 × 12 9/16 in. (84.4 × 31.9 cm)
Overall with knobs: 68 5/8 × 19 in. (174.3 × 48.2 cm)
Overall with mounting: 68 5/8 × 16 15/16 in. (174.3 × 43 cm) - Classification: Paintings
- Credit Line: Fishbein-Bender Collection, Promised Gift of T. Richard Fishbein and Estelle P. Bender
- Object Number: L.2019.10.13a, b
- Curatorial Department: Asian Art