The Story of the Courtesan Jigokudayū and Priest Ikkyū 1886

This is Tsukioka Yoshitoshi’s woodblock print depicting the meeting of the Buddhist priest Ikkyū with the courtesan Jigokudayū. It’s difficult to date it precisely but Yoshitoshi was active in the late nineteenth century, a period of rapid modernisation in Japan. Looking closely, we see Ikkyū carrying a skull on a stick as a reminder of mortality. Jigokudayū was known for her intelligence and Buddhist devotion, and their encounter, a popular story in Japanese culture, suggests a mutual respect and spiritual understanding, challenging the social norms of the time. Courtesans, while marginalized, often possessed cultural and artistic knowledge, making them influential figures. Yoshitoshi’s print reflects the Edo period’s fascination with such figures, offering a commentary on social roles and spiritual enlightenment. To delve deeper into the history of courtesans, we might look at ukiyo-e prints and other visual and literary sources from the era.