Osaka: Courtesan of the Shinmachi, from an untitled series of the three capitals c. 1820s - 1830s

This woodblock print, "Osaka: Courtesan of the Shinmachi," was created by Yashima Gakutei in the early 19th century. The print depicts a courtesan from the Shinmachi district of Osaka, Japan, holding a book and sitting in a lavishly patterned kimono. This work belongs to Gakutei’s series of prints depicting the three capitals of Japan, highlighting the distinctive fashion and culture of each city. This delicate portrayal of a woman exemplifies the beauty and elegance of Japanese ukiyo-e art.