Courtesan carrying a decorated tray

Art Historical Context

In the bustling Yoshiwara pleasure district of Edo-period Japan (modern-day Tokyo), Totoya Hokkei captures the elegance of a courtesan in his color woodblock print *Courtesan Carrying aated Tray* from the early to mid-182s. Hokkei, a skilled ukiyo-e artist and of the master Katsushika Hokusai, specialized in bijin-ga (images of beautiful women) and scenes of daily life. Here, the graceful figure balances a lacquered tray adorned with seasonal motifs, her kimono flowing with intricate patterns that reflect the "floating world" of fleeting pleasures and refined urban culture. This shikishiban surimono—a square-format print (21 × 18.3 cm) produced for private commissions—highlights advanced woodblock techniques. Multiple carved blocks were inked in vibrant colors and precisely registered for a luminous effect, often featuring embossing or mica for texture. Surimono were luxurious New Year's gifts for poetry circles, blending art with haiku, and showcased superior craftsmanship beyond commercial ukiyo-e. Hokkei's work exemplifies the golden age of Japanese printmaking, bridging popular culture and elite patronage before Western influences reshaped the medium. On view in the Art Institute of Chicago's Arts of Asia collection, it invites us to savor the poise and artistry of 19th-century Japan's demimonde.

About the Artist

Totoya Hokkei · 1780–1850

Totoya Hokkei (魚屋 北渓, 1780–1850), born Iwakubo Tatsuyuki in Edo (modern Tokyo), began his life as a humble fishmonger in the Yotsuya Samegahashi district, a trade reflected in his art name "Totoya," meaning fish shop. He transitioned to art through rigorous training, first studying under Kanō Yōsen'in Korenobu, head of the Kobikichō branch of the prestigious Kanō school, where he honed landscape p...