Courtisane vergeleken met Koteiken 1830 - 1840

Utagawa Sadatora created this woodblock print titled ‘Courtesan Compared to Kotei’ portraying a moment rich with societal implications. During the Edo period in Japan, courtesans occupied a unique, often contradictory position in society. Here, the finely dressed woman pauses on a wooden deck, her elegant kimono a stark contrast to her bare feet. This juxtaposition offers a glimpse into the performative aspects of her identity, existing at the intersection of beauty, commodification, and social expectations. Woodblock prints were not merely art, but cultural documents reflecting and shaping societal norms. This work invites us to consider the intricate dance between visibility and vulnerability experienced by women in the pleasure quarters. Through Sadatora’s composition we see the emotional complexities inherent in the courtesan's existence, and the societal gaze that defined her.