High-Ranking Courtesans of the Three Capitals - A Set of Three (Santo tayu sanpukutsui) c. 1740

This woodblock print from the early 18th century by Torii Kiyomasu II depicts three high-ranking courtesans, or tayu, from Japan's three major cities. Here, we see the artist working within the ukiyo-e tradition, translating 'pictures of the floating world', by representing urban life and popular entertainment. The image presents the tayu in rich garments, each posed before a screen bearing their names and locations. During this Edo period, Japan’s rigid social hierarchy placed merchants and artisans above those engaged in entertainment. Yet, ukiyo-e prints, especially those depicting beautiful women or celebrated actors, challenged such conventions. They offered a subversive visual space where social boundaries blurred, reflecting a fascination with pleasure and consumer culture. Understanding these prints requires delving into the history of Japanese social structures and the evolving status of artists. It also calls for an appreciation of the vibrant culture of the pleasure quarters. Such research brings us closer to the complex meanings embedded in these seemingly simple images.