Erotic Scenes of the Months c. early 19th century

Teisai Hokuba created this woodblock print, "Erotic Scenes of the Months," in Japan sometime before his death in 1844. Prints such as this were part of the "ukiyo-e" tradition, depicting scenes of everyday life, including the pleasure quarters. This print gives us a window into the floating world of Edo-period Japan, a time of relative peace and economic growth. The elaborate clothing and intimate setting suggest a world of courtesans and their clients, a world governed by its own social rules and hierarchies. Woodblock prints like this were commercial products, made for a broad audience that included merchants and other members of the emerging middle class. Understanding this print requires that we delve into the social history of Edo Japan, researching the lives of the people depicted and the cultural values that shaped their world. Only then can we fully appreciate the complex meanings embedded in this seemingly simple image.