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Japanese Courtesans and Poetry

Elegant portrayals of courtesans and young women engaged in poetic exchanges, showcasing traditional Japanese culture and attire.

Hanami zuki - digital file from original print | Library of Congress
Hanami zuki - digital file from original print | Library of Congress
325 assets in this story
1746-111328359
Hada kurabe hana no shobuyu kurabe (hoso), koshi yuki no ya. Translation: Naked bodies compared to irises in hot water, comparing hips to a snow laden willow in hot water. by Toyonaka, Kunichika, 1835-1900, artist 1868. shows a scene in a women's public bath, with many women bathing, some washing children, and a small group are fighting among themselves.
4430-3342
fine arts, Toyoharu, Utagawa (1735 - 1814), graphic, couple having sexual intercourse, colour woodcut, printed 1870, private collection,
4430-2876
fine arts, Kiyonaga, Torii, (1752 - 1815), graphics, ""night scene in Shinagawa"", 1785, colour woodcut, private collection, Washington, historic, historical, Asia, Japan, 18th century, night, woman, women, clothing, fashion, holding, lampion, man, geisha, geishas, servant, servants,
6145-51787659
Thirty Six Immortal Poets' Cards (3), Utagawa Kunisada (Tokyo, Japan, 1786 - 1865) 1853
6145-59072022
We will take the lady and their occupation; 19th/20th century (1801-00-00-1900-00-00);Chinese (culture), Qing dynasty (1644-1911), women, Chinese art
1899-18788957
Suzuki Harunobu (1724 July 7, 1770) was a Japanese woodblock print artist, one of the most famous in the Ukiyo-e style. He was an innovator, the first to produce full-color prints (nishiki-e) in 1765, rendering obsolete the former modes of two- and three-color prints. Harunobu used many special techniques, and depicted a wide variety of subjects, from classical poems to contemporary beauties (bijin, bijin-ga). Like many artists of his day, Harunobu also produced a number of shunga, or erotic images. During his lifetime and shortly afterwards, many artists imitated his style. A few, such as Harushige, even boasted of their ability to forge the work of the great master. Much about Harunobu's life is unknown.
6145-29269095
A naked man guides a naked woman out of a window. Gouache painting.
4409-17580788
'Beauties Celebrate Snowflakes'. China, late 19th - early 20th century. Dimensions: 61x107 cm. Museum: State Hermitage, St. Petersburg.
4435-3880
TAKAYOSHI, Fujiwara (ca. 1127-1179). The tale of Genji. 12th c. Illustration from the book 'Genji Monogatari Emaki-' (The Tale of Genji). Jealousy scene. Yugiri (Genji's son) reads the letter from his lover's mother, Miyasu-Dokoro, and Kumoi-no-kari (Yugiri's wife) tries to take if from him, misunderstanding he is reading a love letter from his lover, Ochiba-no-miya. Japanese art. Heian period. Drawing. JAPAN. HONSHU. Kyoto. Tokugawa Reimeikai Foundation.
4409-17584129
The actors Nakajima Wadaemon (R) as Bodara Chozaemon and Nakamura Konozo (L) as Gon of the boat-keeper Kanagawaya. Toshusai Sharaku ; Japanese, active 1794-95. Date: 1794. Dimensions: 38.1 x 24.8 cm. Color woodblock print; oban. Origin: Japan. Museum: The Chicago Art Institute, USA.
6145-29827260
Returning Sails at the Wharves American couple 1st month, 1861 Utagawa Yoshitora Japanese. Returning Sails at the Wharves American couple 73478
6145-29276492
Burying the placenta, C16 Chinese painted book illustration
4409-17549553
Lovers with Young Attendant Looking on, from an untitled series of erotic prints. Suzuki Harunobu ; Japanese, 1725 ()-1770. Date: 1761-1770. Dimensions: 20.7 x 28 cm (8 1/8 x 11 in.). Color woodblock print; chuban yoko-e. Origin: Japan. Museum: The Chicago Art Institute, USA.
6176-67043099
'Chia Tzu-Lung Finds the Stone', 1922. According to Chinese mythology, a scholar name Chia Tzu-lung learned of a stone that would turn tile or brick to silver. From "Myths and Legends of China", by E. T. C. Werner. George G. Harrap & Co. Ltd., London, Calcutta, Sydney, 1922
4408-13546
Banquet at a foreign mercantile house in Yokohama (Yokohama ijin sho_ka shuen no zu), Japanese Prints - Hiroshige
4292-43055
Thailand, minature painting
4409-17587693
Come on Wings of Joy. André Edouard Marty (French, 1882-1974); printed by Vincent Brooks, Day and Son Limited Lithographers; published by the Underground Electric Railways Company of London Limited. Date: 1931. Dimensions: 1020 × 630 mm. Color lithogrqph on cream wove paper. Origin: France. Museum: The Chicago Art Institute, FLORENCIA, USA.
1899-18788961
Suzuki Harunobu (1724 July 7, 1770) was a Japanese woodblock print artist, one of the most famous in the Ukiyo-e style. He was an innovator, the first to produce full-color prints (nishiki-e) in 1765, rendering obsolete the former modes of two- and three-color prints. Harunobu used many special techniques, and depicted a wide variety of subjects, from classical poems to contemporary beauties (bijin, bijin-ga). Like many artists of his day, Harunobu also produced a number of shunga, or erotic images. During his lifetime and shortly afterwards, many artists imitated his style. A few, such as Harushige, even boasted of their ability to forge the work of the great master. Much about Harunobu's life is unknown.
6145-59570031
De Musch with the cut tongue, 1892 book Number two from a series with translated Japanese fairy tales; Cover with title and image of sparred sparrows like people; Inside cover, colophon; Ten magazines, Dutch text with illustrations. The original English version was published in 1885. paper color woodcut
4443-73255766
China, Two women at a writing desk, print, prent, China (collection), height 297 mm, width 258 mm, maker, verwerker, 1700 - 1799, paper, papier, colour woodcut, kleurhoutsnede
6145-51835899
Faithful Depiction of the House Kimono Patterns Worn by Yoshiwara Courtesans Paying Holiday Visits on the Second Day of New Year Eishusai Choki (Japanese, died 1805). Faithful Depiction of the House Kimono Patterns Worn by Yoshiwara Courtesans Paying Holiday Visits on the Second Day of New Year, ca. 1785-1790. Woodblock color print, 12 x 29 1/16 in. (30.5 x 73.8 cm). Asian Art ca. 1785-1790
1899-18787840
Homosexuality as a theme in traditional Chinese art is not common and almost always representative of male homosexualty (the 'Way of the Cut Sleeve' or the 'Bitten Peach'. Lesbians and Lesbianism as a theme is still more unusual, and this painting was probably done to titillate men. Today (21st century) Chinese lesbians usually call themselves lazi (lazi) or lala (lala). These two terms are abbreviations of the transliteration of the English term lesbian. These slang terms are also commonly used in Mainland China.
4443-73242553
verso - stamped, height 298 mm, width 222 mm, Japanese, 1861 - 1942, print maker, printmaker, 1900 - 1925, first quarter 20st century, first quarter 20th century, paper, colour woodcut
6145-29779914
Beauties 1st month, 1861 Utagawa Yoshiiku Japanese. Beauties 73517
6176-67076184
'Daughters of the Sun', c1887, (1901). Artist: Mortimer L Menpes.