The Entertainer Tamino and the Serving Girl Nui of the Sumiyoshiya

Art Historical Context

This captivating color woodblock by Eishosaioki, created around 2, offers a glimpse into the lively of Edo-period Japan. As an **-sized ukiyo-e print measuring roughly 15 by 10 inches, exemplifies the accessible art form that flourished during the late 18th century. Choki, active in the 1790, was renowned for his elegant depictions of performers and beautiful women, capturing the fleeting pleasures of theater and the pleasure quarters with delicate lines and subtle color gradations typical of the period’s woodblock techniques. The scene features Tamino, an entertainer, alongside Nui, a serving girl from the Sumiyoshiya establishment. Such subjects were immensely popular, reflecting the cultural fascination with kabuki actors, courtesans, and teahouse life that defined ukiyo-e imagery. These prints served as both souvenirs and affordable art for townspeople, preserving the glamour of contemporary celebrities. Housed in the Art Institute of Chicago’s Arts of Asia collection, this work highlights the sophisticated printing methods of the time, where multiple carved blocks produced vibrant, layered colors. It invites viewers to appreciate how Choki’s art immortalized the transient entertainments of his era.