Courtesans Drawn in Osaka Style (Osaka kakiwake), from "Courtesans of the Three Capitals - A Set of Three (Sanga no tsu keisei sanpukutsui)"

Art Historical Context

Step into the vibrant world of 18th-century Japan with *Courtesans Drawn in Style (Osaka kwake)*, the right sheet of a narrow hosoban triptych Okumura Masan (1686–1764). Created around 1748, this color woodblock print is part of the series *Courtesans of Three Capitals—A Set of Three (S no tsu keiseipukutsui)*, which playfully contrasts the elegant courtesans of Edo (Tokyo), Kyoto, and Osaka Masanobu, a pioneering ukiyo-e artist, captures the "floating world" of pleasure quarters, showcasing Osaka's distinctive style with its bold, lively figures adorned in luxurious kimonos. This benizuri-e print exemplifies early color woodblock innovation, using just pink (beni) and green inks layered over black outlines for striking yet subtle effects—a bridge to the fuller polychrome nishiki-e prints that later defined ukiyo-e. At 31.3 × 14.6 cm, its intimate hosoban format was perfect for affordable, collectible art among urban merchants and theatergoers. Masanobu's precise carving and dynamic compositions highlight fashion, poise, and sensuality, reflecting Edo-period Japan's booming print culture. Housed in the Art Institute of Chicago's Arts of Asia collection, this piece offers a window into how ukiyo-e democratized beauty and celebrity, influencing global art from Impressionism onward. Imagine these courtesans as stars of their time—icons of wit, allure, and urban sophistication!

About the Artist

Okumura Masanobu · 1686–1764

Japanese, 1686–1764