The parlor of a brothel in the pleasure quarters c. 1789 - 1801

Utagawa Toyokuni I created this woodblock print around 1800, it is titled, The parlor of a brothel in the pleasure quarters. The composition is dominated by the interior space, structured by receding planes and a grid of architectural lines. The figures, arranged throughout the parlor, are defined by flowing lines and intricate patterns of their kimonos. Toyokuni employs color to differentiate the figures and spaces within the scene, using soft pinks and greens. The use of perspective flattens the space, typical of ukiyo-e prints. The print offers a glimpse into a highly structured social environment. The arrangement of figures within the architectural space suggests a complex interplay of gazes and interactions. By focusing on the formal qualities, Toyokuni subtly critiques the aesthetics and social codes of his time, prompting a reconsideration of beauty, desire, and power within the pleasure quarters.