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Courtesan Viewing a Painting of Fukurokuju

ca. 1768
Not on view
A young courtesan, holding a long tobacco pipe, glances up at a painting in the alcove showing Fukurokuju, the god of long life, portrayed as an old man with a staff to which a rolled-up scroll attached. The scroll is said to contain wisdom about the meaning of life. Above, in a cloud-shaped cartouche, is inscribed a poem by the famous haiku poet Matsuo Bashō (1644–1694):

The moon and flowers—
are they not
the true poetry masters?

(Trans. John T. Carpenter)

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • 磯田湖龍斎筆　福禄寿の軸を見る美人
  • Title: Courtesan Viewing a Painting of Fukurokuju
  • Artist: Isoda Koryūsai (Japanese, 1735–1790)
  • Period: Edo period (1615–1868)
  • Date: ca. 1768
  • Culture: Japan
  • Medium: Woodblock print (nishiki-e); ink and color on paper
  • Dimensions: Vertical chūban; 10 x 7 11/32 in. (25.4 x 18.7 cm)
  • Classification: Prints
  • Credit Line: Purchase, Joseph Pulitzer Bequest, 1918
  • Object Number: JP558
  • Curatorial Department: Asian Art

More Artwork

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The Courtesan Nanakoshi of the Ōgiya Brothel, from the series “A Pat-tern Book of the Year’s First Designs, Fresh as Spring Herbs” (“Hinagata wakana no hatsu moyō”) , Isoda Koryūsai Japanese, Woodblock print; ink and color on paper, Japan

The Courtesan Nanakoshi of the Ōgiya Brothel, from the series “A Pat-tern Book of the Year’s First Designs, Fresh as Spring Herbs” (“Hinagata wakana no hatsu moyō”)

Isoda Koryūsai
1777–78
Helmet (<i>Zukinnari Kabuto</i>), Iron, lacquer, Japanese
Helmet (Zukinnari Kabuto)
Japanese
16th century
Under the Wave off Kanagawa (Kanagawa oki nami ura), or The Great Wave, from the series Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji (Fugaku sanjūrokkei) , Katsushika Hokusai Japanese, Woodblock print; ink and color on paper, Japan

Under the Wave off Kanagawa (Kanagawa oki nami ura), or The Great Wave, from the series Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji (Fugaku sanjūrokkei)

Katsushika Hokusai
ca. 1830–32
Nagauta Kihan, Isoda Koryūsai Japanese, Woodblock print; ink and color on paper, Japan
Nagauta Kihan
Isoda Koryūsai
1735–1790
Armor (<i>Gusoku</i>), Saotome Ietada Japanese, Iron, lacquer, silk, gilt copper, Japanese
Armor (Gusoku)
Armorer Helmet bowl signed Saotome Ietada
Armorer Breastplate inscribed inside, Myōchin Munesuke
16th and 18th centuries

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