Interior Scene in the Yoshiwara 1670 - 1690

"Interior Scene in the Yoshiwara" is a woodblock print by Hishikawa Moronobu, a pivotal figure in the development of ukiyo-e, or "pictures of the floating world". This scene depicts a lively gathering within a pleasure district, the Yoshiwara, a district in Edo, Japan, known for its courtesans and entertainment. Moronobu's use of simple lines and careful attention to detail capture the atmosphere of a crowded room, highlighting the various forms of entertainment taking place, like music and drinking. The work demonstrates the style that came to define the early years of ukiyo-e and the artistic development of the genre.