The Courtesan Takikawa of Ogiya, from the series Seven Beautiful Komachi (Bijin nana Komachi)
Edo period (1615–1868), about 1794
Medium
Color woodblock print; oban
Dimensions
37.5 × 24.4 cm (14 3/4 × 9 5/8 in.)
Classification
woodblock print
Department
Arts of Asia
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
24214
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
A high-ranking courtesan (identifiable as such by her name, clothing, and many hair ornaments) sits in her room with her pipe and tobacco accessories. The hanging scroll behind her shows an image of an elderly Ono no Komachi, who is resting on a log in the shape of a Buddhist stupa, a dome-like structure used for meditation. Because of its form, the log was considered a sacred object, and according to legend, a passing priest admonished the poet for sitting on it. In response, she composed the ...
About the Artist
Utagawa Toyokuni I · 1777–1835
Japanese, 1777–1835