Brothel Client with Courtesan c. 1784

Torii Kiyonaga created this woodblock print, “Brothel Client with Courtesan,” in Japan during the late 18th century. Kiyonaga, who came from a family of print artists, specialized in images of beautiful women, often portraying them in scenes of everyday life. This print offers a rare glimpse into the intimate world of the pleasure quarters. We see a courtesan and her client caught in a tender moment, their lips meeting in a kiss. It is a reminder of the complex social dynamics at play, where intimacy and desire intersect with economic exchange. Kiyonaga challenges conventional representations of women by depicting them as multifaceted individuals. The artwork allows us to reflect on the ways in which gender, class, and sexuality were negotiated in Edo-period Japan, inviting us to consider the emotional lives of those who lived within and on the margins of society.