Isoda KORYÛSAI

(Japan 1735–1790)

Title

Kisakata of Ôhishi-ya

Other titles:

An Oiran with two maids

Alternative title:

Hinagata wakana-no hatsu moyô: Ôhishi-ya nai Kisakata

Place of origin

Japan

Period

Edo (Tokugawa) period 1615 - 1868 → Japan

Year

1777-1782

Media category

Materials used

colour woodblock print

Dimensions

Ôban tate-e: 38.0 x 26.1cm image/sheet

Signature & date

Signed l.l., in Japanese, ink [incised on block] "Koryûsai ga [picture by Koryûsai]". Not dated.

Credit

Purchased 1930

Accession number

4353

Location

Not on display

Further information

The elegant courtesan ('oiran') is shown writing, presumably a poem or witty exchange with a suitor. Beside her are her two assistants and an inkbox with all its contents on the floor. The print belongs to a series comprising over 110 prints, published in the mid 1770s to the early 1780s, each to show a new kimono pattern. Sample patterns for kimono were conventionally printed in the flat kimono shape, but in this series, popular courtesans are dressed in the new patterns. Her robe is decorated with pine needles and a set of the symbols that denote a chapter of the classic 'Tale of Genji'.

The Asian Collections, AGNSW, 2003, pg.249.

Bibliography (5)

Gary Hickey, Beauty & desire in Edo period Japan 1998, 'Pleasure Town', pg. 25-36, Parkes, 1998, 30 (colour illus.), 70. fig.no. 24

Verlie Just, Four Centuries of Ukiyo-e Prints 1997, Brisbane, 1997. cat.no. 9

Jackie Menzies, The Floating World: Japan's world of transient pleasures 1994, Sydney, 1994, (illus.). cat.no. C20

Jackie Menzies (Editor), The Asian Collections Art Gallery of New South Wales 2003, 'The Floating World', Domain, 2003, 249 (colour illus.).

KUKI Shûzô, Reflections on Japanese taste: the structure of iki, Sydney, 1997, 84 (illus.).

Exhibition history (3)

The Floating World: Japan's World of transient pleasures, Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney, 25 May 1994–17 Jul 1994

Four Centuries of Ukiyo-e Prints, Queensland Art Gallery, South Brisbane, 07 May 1997–27 Jul 1997

Beauty and Desire in Edo period Japan, National Gallery of Australia, Australia, 06 Jun 1998–09 Aug 1998