Prostituee kussend met jonge man 1799

This woodblock print, made by Kitagawa Utamaro, depicts a moment of intimacy between a courtesan and a client. Utamaro worked during the Edo period in Japan, when the floating world of pleasure districts became a popular subject for art. This image offers a glimpse into that world, where social hierarchies and economic transactions intertwined with personal desires. The courtesan's elaborate hairstyle and clothing mark her status, while the young man's presence suggests the economic exchange at play. Notice how the composition emphasizes the physical connection between the two figures, yet the detached expressions on their faces hint at the complex power dynamics within this encounter. To understand this image fully, we can look at historical documents, literature, and other artworks from the Edo period, exploring how the floating world both reflected and challenged the social norms of its time. What was the place of sex work in Japanese society, and how did art contribute to its representation and understanding?