Courtesan Riding a Carp (parody of the Daoist Immortal Kinko [Chinese: Qin Gao]) c. 1768 - 1769

"Courtesan Riding a Carp (parody of the Daoist Immortal Kinko [Chinese: Qin Gao])" is a woodblock print by Suzuki Harunobu, a celebrated artist of the Edo period in Japan. This work, created around 1768-1769, depicts a courtesan in elaborate clothing riding a carp, an auspicious symbol in Japanese culture. This playful scene is a parody of the Daoist immortal Kinko, who is often depicted riding a carp. Harunobu's use of vivid colors and delicate lines, a hallmark of his style, brings this whimsical scene to life. This work, currently housed at The Art Institute of Chicago, is a prime example of Harunobu's mastery of the ukiyo-e printmaking technique, which captured the beauty and fleeting nature of everyday life in Edo-era Japan.