Oiran and Attendant out for a Stroll 1770 - 1790

This woodblock print depicts an Oiran, or high-ranking courtesan, and her attendant out for a stroll, and was created by Isoda Koryūsai in Japan during the late 18th century. It encapsulates many aspects of the floating world, or ukiyo, which was a key concept in Edo-period Japan. The image creates meaning through visual codes, cultural references, and historical associations, offering insight into the social structures of its time. The Oiran, with her elaborate kimono and hairstyle, represents a figure of wealth, leisure, and cultural refinement. The presence of the attendant underscores her status, but also reflects the rigid social hierarchies of the era. These prints were part of a larger commercial enterprise, reflecting the economic structures of the time, and understanding this artwork better involves delving into historical records of the period, examining other contemporary prints, and analyzing the social and economic conditions that shaped its production and reception. It reminds us that art’s meaning is always contingent on its social and institutional context.