The Courtesan Tsukioka of Hyōgoya 1793 - 1801

Ichirakutei Eisui created "The Courtesan Tsukioka of Hyōgoya," a woodblock print, at the turn of the 19th century in Japan during the Edo period. This was a time when urban culture flourished, especially in districts like Yoshiwara, where courtesans like Tsukioka were celebrities. Eisui captures Tsukioka's beauty and status, but look closer, and you might sense something more complex. Her downcast eyes and the delicate way she holds the flowers suggest a quiet introspection. Is it a hint of the emotional labor and constraints experienced by women in her position? The opulent details, such as her elaborate hair ornaments, emphasize the constructed nature of her public image. Courtesans were often celebrated in art, but these images also participated in shaping social perceptions and expectations around women and desire. Ultimately, Eisui's print invites us to contemplate the layers of identity, performance, and societal expectations embodied by Tsukioka, offering a glimpse into both the allure and the underlying realities of her world.