A Banquet in a Pleasure House on the Bank of the Okawa (Okawa bata giro jo no yusen) c. 1792

Angyûsai Enshi created this colorful woodblock print, "A Banquet in a Pleasure House on the Bank of the Okawa," sometime between 1785 and 1795. It offers us a glimpse into the vibrant social life along the Okawa River in Osaka. During this period, the pleasure quarters were not just spaces of entertainment, but also cultural hubs where artists, writers, and merchants gathered. The women depicted here, likely courtesans, were key figures in these settings, celebrated for their wit, artistic talents, and fashion sense. The print blurs the lines between public and private, revealing a world where social status, gender, and artistic expression intertwine. The lanterns, the flowing river, and the elegant figures all contribute to an atmosphere of fleeting beauty and refined pleasure. Enshi’s work invites us to reflect on the complex roles women played in shaping the cultural landscape of Edo-period Japan.