Two Courtesans and a Geisha 1773 - 1793

"Two Courtesans and a Geisha" (1773-1793) is a ukiyo-e woodblock print by the renowned Japanese artist Torii Kiyonaga (1752-1815). The print depicts three women, two of whom are courtesans, standing and observing as a geisha, the woman seated, plays the shamisen. This work highlights the intricate details of traditional Japanese clothing and hairstyles. The print was originally created for a larger audience and exemplifies the Edo period's fascination with the fashionable lifestyles of geisha and courtesans. The print, now in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, demonstrates the masterful technique of woodblock printing that Kiyonaga is famous for.