Skip to Main Content

Courtesans Promenading on the Nakanochō

仲之町の花魁道中

c. 1790

Utagawa Toyokuni 歌川 豊国

(Japanese, 1769–1825)
Japan, Edo period (1615–1868)
One of a triptych of color woodblock prints
Each: 37.8 x 25.8 cm (14 7/8 x 10 3/16 in.)
Bequest of Edward L. Whittemore 1930.211.b
Location: not on view
You can copy, modify, and distribute this work, all without asking permission. Learn more about CMA's Open Access Initiative.

Download, Print and Share

Description

Nakanochō was the main street in Yoshiwara, a famous walled pleasure district that housed as many as 4,000 courtesans. In the early evening, elaborately dressed courtesans accompanied by attendants promenaded on the central thoroughfare, as in this scene. The open buildings with shop curtains hanging from their eaves are teahouses, establishments where men could arrange appointments with courtesans of the more prestigious brothels.
Courtesans Promenading on the Nakanochō

Courtesans Promenading on the Nakanochō

c. 1790

Utagawa Toyokuni

(Japanese, 1769–1825)
Japan, Edo period (1615–1868)

See Also

Visually Similar by AI

Contact us

The information about this object, including provenance, may not be currently accurate. If you notice a mistake or have additional information about this object, please email collectionsdata@clevelandart.org.

To request more information about this object, study images, or bibliography, contact the Ingalls Library Reference Desk.

All images and data available through Open Access can be downloaded for free. For images not available through Open Access, a detail image, or any image with a color bar, request a digital file from Image Services.