Geisha Preparing for an Entertainment 1784 - 1804

This polychrome woodblock print was created by Chōbunsai Eishi, an artist of the late 18th and early 19th century, during the Edo period in Japan. It depicts a group of geishas preparing for an evening’s entertainment. The image provides a glimpse into the Yoshiwara district, a pleasure district that was licensed by the government and played a significant role in the social and cultural life of Edo, present-day Tokyo. Here, the art of music, dance and poetry flourished, but it was also a place of strict social hierarchies. The geishas, with their elaborate hairstyles, refined manners, and beautiful kimonos, were at the top of this hierarchy, but they were also bound by its constraints. The print may seem like a simple depiction of daily life, but it reflects the complex social structures of the time. To gain a deeper understanding of this artwork, it helps to explore the history of the Yoshiwara district and the cultural significance of geishas in Edo society. Old city maps and documents from the period can tell us more about the social structures in place at the time of its making.