The Courtesan Kasugano Writing a Letter
Original title: The Courtesan Kasugano Writing a Letter
kurzbeschreibung
This colour woodblock print by Suzuki Harunobu dates from around 1765. It shows a woman in traditional Japanese dress seated on the floor, writing a letter. Everyday scenes like this, and elegant female figures, are hallmarks of ukiyo-e art.
Description
Sitting on the ground and leaning slightly forward, the woman guides a brush across the paper. Over a black kimono she wears a red obi, and the red undergarment is decorated with floral patterns. Flowers also adorn her upswept hair. A tray with writing implements and a sheet of paper rests beside her. Chinese characters on the right of the sheet give the title or a description, and further characters are spread across the rear of the picture. Red, black and white dominate the palette, with the floral patterns providing accents.
Context
Harunobu is regarded as a pioneer of multicolour woodblock printing, nishiki-e, which emerged in Edo, today's Tokyo, in the 1760s. This sheet, too, numbers among the early colour prints, made for a prosperous urban market. A courtesan writing a letter was a popular ukiyo-e subject and reflects the culture of the Yoshiwara pleasure quarter.
Impact
The image feels quiet and intimate; the woman is wholly absorbed in a private activity. Clear lines and a harmonious palette give the sheet an elegant, almost delicate mood characteristic of Harunobu.
Technique
The print was produced in the yonkyokuban format, using colour and ink on paper. Multicolour printing allowed for subtle gradations and rich patterns, as seen in the flowers of the undergarment.
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Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)