Suzuki Harunobu, 'Parading Courtesan with Attendants'

Suzuki Harunobu (about 1724-70)
'Parading Courtesan with Attendants'
Late 1760
Nishiki-e (brocade print)
Chûban size
Signature: Suzuki Harunobu ga
Museum no. E.1416-1898

This is an example of an early full colour print. Polychrome multiple-block prints became known as nishiki-e, or 'brocade print', because their lavish colours were likened to the rich palette of nishiki or silk brocades.

The print shows a high-ranking courtesan parading through the Yoshiwara (the licensed pleasure quarters in Edo - now central Tokyo) accompanied by two maidservants and an older attendant.

This print can be found in Japanese Print Room Box JP1.