Kan, a waitress of the Izutsuya, and the geisha Fuseya of the Ogiya

Art Historical Context

Created around 1794 by Eishosai Choki, this color woodblock print captures two women from Tokyo’s vibrant pleasure quarters during Japan’s Edo period. Choki, active in the late eighteenth century, specialized in bijin-ga, or “pictures of beautiful women,” often portraying courtesans, waitresses, and entertainers with graceful lines and subtle expressions. The oban format, measuring roughly 37 by 25 centimeters, allowed artists to present full-length figures with remarkable detail while remaining affordable for a growing urban audience. The print depicts Kan, a waitress at the Izutsuya teahous...