Three Prostitutes of Wakafune-ya House- Shiratsuyu c. 1794

This woodblock print, made by Chōki in Japan, depicts three courtesans from the Wakafune-ya house. It offers a glimpse into the floating world of the Edo period, a society whose rigid class structure gave rise to licensed pleasure districts, the only places where merchants could mix with the upper classes. The print uses visual codes to convey status and identity. The women's elaborate hairstyles, makeup, and kimonos signal their profession, while the poem above hints at their allure and the ephemeral nature of beauty. The artist, Chōki, was associated with the Utagawa school, known for its depictions of beautiful women and actors. These prints, mass-produced using woodblocks, circulated widely, shaping perceptions of beauty and desire. To understand this image fully, we can delve into Edo-period social history and the cultural significance of the pleasure districts. Researching the lives of courtesans, the role of printmaking, and the socio-economic conditions that shaped this vibrant yet marginalized world will give us greater insight into the artwork.