Manzan of the Chojiya, from the series "Models for Fashion: New Designs as Fresh as Young Leaves (Hinagata wakana no hatsu moyo)"
c. 1778/80
Medium
Color woodblock print; oban
Dimensions
36.6 × 26.4 cm (14 3/8 × 10 3/8 in.)
Classification
woodblock print
Department
Arts of Asia
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
77349
Art Historical Context
**Manzan of thejiya**, a captivating color woodblock print by the renowned ukiyo-e master Isoda Koryusai, dates to around 1778–80. Part of the series *Models for Fashion: New Designs Fresh as Young Leaves (inagata wakana noatsu moyo)*, it showcases the courtesan Manzan from the Choji pleasure house in Edo (modern Tokyo). Rendered in the large oban format (36.6 × 26.4 cm), this print exemplifies Koryusai's skill in bijin-ga, or "pictures of beautiful women," blending elegance with everyday allure. Created during Japan's Edo period, when ukiyo-e prints exploded in popularity, this work served a...