Courtisane Ogiya uit het Hanaogi huis 1795 - 1800

Utagawa Toyokuni I created this woodblock print, Courtisane Ogiya, in Japan during the Edo period. The print depicts a high-ranking courtesan, identifiable by her elaborate hairstyle and luxurious kimono, seated at a low table and holding a letter. The scene provides a glimpse into the highly structured world of the pleasure quarters, an important institution in Edo society. These quarters were carefully regulated, and courtesans like Ogiya occupied a complex social position; they were both admired for their beauty and accomplishments and stigmatized for their profession. The act of writing a letter suggests the courtesan's role in maintaining social connections and engaging in artistic pursuits. By examining contemporary literature, social histories, and the visual culture of the Edo period, we can better understand the significance of these images and the lives of the women they depict. Art provides a window into the social structures of its time.