Servant Applying Medicinal to Geisha's Arm 1767 - 1799

Kitao Shigemasa created this woodblock print titled, Servant Applying Medicine to Geisha's Arm, in Japan sometime in the late 18th century. These prints offer a valuable window onto the social and cultural life of Edo-period Japan. Through its composition and subject matter, the image hints at the complex social structures of its time. We see an interior scene with three figures: a servant, a geisha, and a man relaxing with a pipe. The geisha’s exposed arm and the servant’s careful application of medicine imply intimacy and the close relationships that existed within these entertainment quarters. The print invites us to consider the role of geishas within Japanese society, their place within the floating world of pleasure, and the economic and social forces that shaped their lives. Understanding this print requires looking into archives and historical documents to uncover the stories of the people who lived in this world, and the artists who represented them. By doing so, we are better able to appreciate the nuanced reflections on social norms, and the hierarchies embedded in the art of the era.