Courtesan and her Child Attendant with a Potted Plum Tree 1805 - 1825

Katsukawa Shuntei created this woodblock print of a courtesan and her child attendant with a potted plum tree in Japan, sometime between 1790 and 1820. Here, we see a high-ranking courtesan, likely in Yoshiwara, the red-light district of Edo, now Tokyo. Alongside her is a young attendant, preparing a plum tree in a pot. This imagery wasn’t merely decorative, it spoke to a complex social hierarchy. Courtesans, while often romanticized, were products of a rigid class system, and prints like these were a way for the public to engage with and consume their image. The plum tree itself could be seen as a symbol of resilience and beauty within confinement. The presence of calligraphy is a reminder of the cultural importance of poetry and literature in the lives of courtesans, who were expected to be skilled in the arts. The print serves as both a commercial product and a commentary on the social structures of its time. To fully appreciate its nuances, delving into the history of the Yoshiwara district and the role of art in shaping perceptions of women in Edo-period Japan is essential.