Artwork

「青楼美人六花仙扇屋花扇」|The Courtesan Hanaōgi of the Ōgiya Brothel (Ōgiya Hanaōgi), from the series Beauties of the Pleasure Quarters as Six Floral Immortals (Seirō bijin rokkasen)

「青楼美人六花仙扇屋花扇」|The Courtesan Hanaōgi of the Ōgiya Brothel (Ōgiya Hanaōgi), from the series Beauties of the Pleasure Quarters as Six Floral Immortals (Seirō bijin rokkasen) is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Chôbunsai Eishi. It dates from 1794 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Chōbunsai Eishi’s multicolored woodblock print portrays a courtesan from the Ōgiya house, identified as Hanaōgi, seated at a low desk.

About this work

Overview

Chōbunsai Eishi’s multicolored woodblock print portrays a courtesan from the Ōgiya house, identified as Hanaōgi, seated at a low desk. She is shown in the act of writing, a fan held in her left hand, while her right hand hovers over the paper. The figure is dressed in a richly patterned kimono of green, pink and white, set against a muted yellow backdrop.

Subject & Meaning

The image belongs to a series that likens six celebrated pleasure‑quarter beauties to floral deities, linking their elegance to the timeless allure of blossoms. By depicting Hanaōgi engaged in a cultured activity—calligraphy—the print underscores the cultivated refinement expected of high‑ranking courtesans, suggesting both artistic talent and genteel poise.

Technique & Style

Executed as a nishiki-e, the work combines multiple woodblocks to achieve subtle colour gradations and fine line work. Eishi’s characteristic emphasis on elongated, graceful figures is evident in the courtesan’s slender posture and delicate facial features. The composition balances decorative patterning on the kimono with a restrained interior setting, typical of late‑18th‑century bijin‑ga.

History & Provenance

Created around 1794, the print formed part of Eishi’s early bijin‑ga output before his later shift toward actor portraits. It entered the collection of The Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it is catalogued as an example of Edo‑period pleasure‑quarter imagery and the artist’s transition from samurai service to professional printmaking.

Artist & collection

Artist

Chôbunsai Eishi

Chōbunsai Eishi (鳥文斎栄之; 1756–1829) was a Japanese ukiyo-e artist. His last name was Hosoda (細田). His first name was Tokitomi (時富). His common name was Taminosuke (民之丞) and later Yasaburo (弥三郎). Pupil of Kano Eisen'in…