Courtisanes en gast tijdens winterochtend 1804

Kitagawa Utamaro created this woodblock print depicting courtesans during a winter morning in Japan. Utamaro lived during the Edo period, a time of economic growth, strict social order, and the rise of the merchant class. Looking closely, we see visual cues of wealth and leisure in the print. The women's elaborate hairstyles and ornate kimonos signal their profession and status. The details of interior architecture, such as the tatami mats and shoji screens, offer glimpses into their enclosed world. The activity of preparing food together suggests a sense of intimacy and domesticity. This print belongs to a larger artistic movement called Ukiyo-e, or "pictures of the floating world." These woodblock prints were popular among the merchant class, catering to their tastes for images of entertainment, beauty, and urban life. As historians, we might look at the records of the pleasure districts and other Ukiyo-e prints to better understand the cultural significance of this print. We can contextualize the image, recognizing that meaning is always dependent on social and institutional context.