Two Courtesans, One Playing a Koto (Harp) and The Other Reading a Letter 1757 - 1820

"Two Courtesans, One Playing a Koto (Harp) and The Other Reading a Letter" is a woodblock print created by Kubo Shunman between 1757 and 1820. The print depicts two women, one playing a koto (a traditional Japanese harp) and the other reading a letter. Shunman was a renowned artist of the Edo period, known for his beautiful depictions of daily life in Japan. This print is an example of his mastery of the ukiyo-e style, which emphasizes the beauty and ephemerality of the floating world. The work is now housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.