The Yoshiwara Parade in Autumn 1783 - 1803

Chōbunsai Eishi created this woodblock print titled ‘The Yoshiwara Parade in Autumn’ to capture a specific cultural moment. Here we see courtesans in the Yoshiwara district, accompanied by young attendants, parading beneath lanterns and autumn foliage. The floating world, or ukiyo, of Edo-period Japan was defined by the pleasure districts. Within these spaces, social norms were upended. This print, made by an artist from the ruling Samurai class, allows us to consider these women, who were often from lower social classes, and their complex roles in society. Eishi doesn't depict the women as mere objects of desire. Instead, he presents a scene of refined elegance, emphasizing their elaborate attire and the rituals of the parade. In this way the print offers a carefully constructed image, reflecting the cultural values and aesthetic ideals of the time. Consider the intimate and emotional lives of these women, celebrated and confined, they were active agents crafting their identities within strict social constraints.