Tamaya Shinbei and Mikuni Kojoro c. 1781 - 1818

Rekisentei Eiri created this woodblock print depicting Tamaya Shinbei and Mikuni Kojoro in the late 18th or early 19th century. During the Edo period, Japanese society was highly stratified, and art often reflected the lives and stories of those within the floating world, a realm of pleasure and entertainment. Eiri’s print offers a glimpse into the lives of courtesans and their patrons. While these prints could celebrate the beauty and allure of women, they also reveal the complexities of gender, class, and power dynamics within the pleasure districts. The sitters strike performative poses, inviting the viewer into their world. The artist uses a subdued palette, focusing on line and form. The attention to detail in the costumes and hairstyles speaks to the importance of fashion and identity within this subculture. These prints were not only aesthetic objects but also served as a form of advertisement and promotion for the courtesans. This print encapsulates the tensions between desire, status, and the fleeting nature of beauty and fame.