Artist: Hishikawa Ryukoku [菱川 龍谷] (Japanese, active 1801–1818)
Signed: 龍谷画 (Ryukoku ga)
Date: Early 19th century (c. 1801–1818)
Media: Woodblock print (nishiki-e), vertical ōban diptych (attached sheets) 75 × 25 cm (29.5 × 10 inches)
Title: High-ranking Courtesan (Oiran, 花魁)
Full-length portrait of a high-ranking courtesan (oiran, 花魁) of the Yoshiwara district, depicted in three-quarter view facing slightly to the right.
She wears a voluminous kimono with elaborate patterning, including seasonal motifs such as chrysanthemums (菊) and stylized clouds or wave forms.
Her outer robe is gracefully draped open to reveal richly layered undergarments, and the long trailing hem (引き裾) denotes her elevated status.
Her hair is arranged in a tall shimada style (島田髷), adorned with multiple ornate hairpins (kanzashi, 簪) and a large comb (櫛)—traditional markers of high rank.
With her left hand, she delicately lifts the edge of her sleeve and holds a rolled scroll of paper.
The diptych format—two vertically attached ōban sheets—accentuates the courtesan’s full-length figure and enhances the composition’s elegant verticality.
This is an extremely rare surviving work by the little-known artist Hishikawa Ryukoku, preserved in unusually fine condition for a print of this size and age.
SOLD
Additional Information
| Collection | Japanese prints and drawings |
|---|---|
| Type / Purpose | Woodblock print |
| Period | 19 AD , Early 19th century , Edo period [江戸時代] (1603–1868) |
| Country | Japan |
| Media/Technique | Ink and color on paper , Woodblock print (nishiki-e) |
| Size | Vertical ōban diptych |
| Subject | Courtesans , History , Japan , Japanese history , Japanese woodblock prints , Yoshiwara Pleasure District (Edo) |
| Creation / Publishing year | Unknown |
| Condition | Good |
| Acquisition year | 2015 |
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