Artwork

The Courtesan Hinazuru of Chojiya with her Attendants Tsuruji and Tsuruno

The Courtesan Hinazuru of Chojiya with her Attendants Tsuruji and Tsuruno is a print by the Romanticist artist Kitagawa Utamaro. It dates from 1794 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

This print, created by Kitagawa Utamaro around 1794, depicts three women in elegant attire. It is a representative work of Utamaro's style and is currently held at The Cleveland Museum of Art.

Subject & Meaning

The print shows the courtesan Hinazuru of Chojiya accompanied by her attendants Tsuruji and Tsuruno. The women's elaborate clothing and poised demeanor reflect their high status in the pleasure quarters of Edo-era Japan.

Technique & Style

Utamaro employed soft lines and subtle shading to convey the texture of the women's robes and the delicacy of their features. The floral motifs on their clothing add a naturalistic element to the composition, echoing the fluidity of their movements.