The Prostitute Hinazuru of the Chōjiya House c. 1770s

Isoda Koryūsai produced this woodblock print depicting The Prostitute Hinazuru of the Chōjiya House. Prints like these were mass produced in Japan and served as advertisements for the women of the pleasure districts. Koryūsai was a samurai who became a printmaker after the death of his lord. His training in the elite circles of Japanese society gave him a unique understanding of the intersection of class, taste, and power. In this print, he depicts Hinazuru with an almost regal bearing, elevating her status while subtly critiquing the social structures that both confine and empower her. The delicate lines and muted colors create an atmosphere of understated elegance, reflecting the refined tastes of the patrons who would have purchased this print. In understanding Koryūsai's work, scholars consult a range of resources, from historical records of the pleasure districts to studies of samurai culture. This print reminds us that art is always shaped by the social and institutional contexts in which it is produced.