Beauties of the Pleasure Quarters (Seiro bijin awase): the Hostess of the Izumiya Teahouse
n.d.
Medium
Color woodblock print; oban
Dimensions
37.4 × 25 cm (14 3/4 × 9 7/8 in.)
Classification
woodblock print
Department
Arts of Asia
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
44287
Art Historical Context
Step into the vibrant world of Edo-period Japan with *Beauties of the Pleasure Quarters (Seiro bijin aw): the Hostess of Izumiya Teah*, a captivating color woodblock print by Rekisentei Eiri. This oban-sized work (37.4 × 25 cm) showcases a poised hostess from the famed Izumiya teah in Yoshiwara, Tokyo's licensed pleasure district. Eiri, active in the late 18th to early 19th century, masterfully captures her elegant kimono, intricate hairstyle, and serene expression, embodying the bijin-ga tradition—art celebrating feminine beauty. Produced during Japan's ukiyo-e ("pictures of the floating wor...