Print 1671 - 1751

This print was made by Nishikawa Sukenobu in Japan sometime between the late 17th and early 18th century. It gives us a peek into the lives of courtesans. The image shows us the interior of what was called a 'floating world' of pleasure quarters. This was an institutionalized space for sex work, but the women in these establishments also offered companionship and entertainment in the form of music, dance, and poetry. The print is of the ukiyo-e genre, a style of woodblock print that flourished during the Edo period, reflecting the tastes and interests of an emerging urban class. The image suggests a critique of social hierarchy in that the courtesans, the elite of the floating world, are being served by lower class workers, who transport what appear to be bath tubs into the building. To gain a deeper understanding of the societal role that these pleasure quarters played, one might consult historical records, literature, and other visual materials from the Edo period. These could reveal the complex social dynamics, cultural values, and artistic conventions that shaped this print and its original audience.