Utagawa Yoshitora (歌川芳虎: ca. 1836-1887) (artist )
Kakemono of a courtesan on parade
01/1859
9.9 in x 28.5 in (Overall dimensions) Signed: Yoshitora ga (芳虎画)
Date seal: 1859
Publisher's seal: Izumiya Ichibei (Marks 180 seal: 21-236)
Waseda University This woman is in the class of the highest rank of courtesans, an oiran (花魁), at the time of this works production. The most obvious sign of her rank is the number of kanzashi (簪) or ornamental hairpins decorating her hair. Another indication is her elaborate and expensive clothing. Her black obi (帯) or kimono sash is decorated with large peonies. Her robes shown a large red carp and possibly a black one swimming among turbulent waters. Carp leaping up waterfalls were a common East Asian motif. In China, if a carp could leap all the way to the hole in the center of the sky, then it could become a dragon. One of her under-robes appear to be decorated with propitious buddhist symbols. This woman is also wearing high black lacquered geta (下駄) or sandals.
Kakemono-e - 掛物絵 (genre)
Izumiya Ichibei (和泉屋市兵衛) (publisher)