Courtesan Likened to the Chinese Sage Zhang Guolao (Japanese: Chokaro) c. 1715

Okumura Masanobu made this woodblock print, Courtesan Likened to the Chinese Sage Zhang Guolao, in the first half of the 18th century. In this period, the ukiyo-e tradition was well established. This artwork, and others of its kind, used the medium of printmaking as a means of circulating images of high-class courtesans. The woodblock printing process involved carving a design into a block of wood, applying ink to the raised surface, and then pressing paper against the block to create an image. The print could then be produced and distributed in multiples. As such, the status of the print as an art object has been debated. Does its inherent reproducibility diminish its worth? Or is there value in its ability to bring images of beauty and aspiration to a wider audience? These prints played an important role in shaping popular culture during the Edo period, influencing fashion, beauty standards, and social trends. This image provides a glimpse into the world of the courtesans and the visual culture of the time.