DISCOVERART

Utagawa Toyokuni I

Courting Komachi (Kayoi Komachi), from the series Seven Fashionable Figures of Ono no Komachi (Furyu nana Komachi yatushi sugata-e)

Edo period (1615–1868), about 1792
Color woodblock print; oban
37.5 × 26 cm (14.8 × 10.2 in)

SEE IT IN PERSON

Not currently on view

In the collection of Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago · as of July 2026

View at artic.edu ↗Plan a visit ↗

Discussion

FROM THE ART INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO’S CATALOG

In this print, a contemporary courtesan and her attendant walk at night, presumably to visit a client. The latter holds a lantern that shines a beam of light across the design, changing the color of all that passes through it. The sheen on the lit portion of the courtesan’s sash was created with animal glue, an adhesive made of rendered animal tissue. This scene is meant to recall an episode in which famed poet Ono no Komachi asked one of her suitors to visit her on 100 successive days in order to prove his love.

Source ↗

Be the first to share your thoughts.

Sign in to join the discussion.

Community guidelines

More by Utagawa Toyokuni I

Hamamuraya: Segawa Kikunojo III as the courtesan Koman, from the series "Portraits of Actors on Stage (Yakusha butai no sugata-e)"Hamamuraya: Segawa Kikunojo III as the courtesan Koman, fromArtworkUntitledArtworkUntitledArtworkUntitledArtworkUntitledThe Courtesan Takikawa of Ogiya, from the series Seven Beautiful Komachi (Bijin nana Komachi)The Courtesan Takikawa of Ogiya, from the series Seven BeautArtworkUntitledThe actor Sawamura Sojuro III as Oboshi Yuranosuke in the play "Edo no Hana Ako no Shiogama," performed at the Kiri Theater in the fourth month, 1796The actor Sawamura Sojuro III as Oboshi Yuranosuke in the pl

More like this

Seven Komachi Episodes: A Woman Holding an Outer Garment for a ManKitagawa Utamaro (Japanese, c. 1754–1806) — Seven Komachi EpAn Attractive Woman Who Looks Like the Actor Iwai Hanshiro VKitagawa Utamaro (Japanese, c. 1754–1806) — An Attractive WoAct VIII (Hachidanme), from the series "The Treasury of Loyal Retainers (Chushingura)"Kitagawa Utamaro — Act VIII (Hachidanme), from the series "TA Fan Suggesting a Dispersed Storm (Sensu no seiran) from the series "Eight Fashionable Scenes of the Parlor (Furyu zashiki hakkei)"Torii Kiyonaga — A Fan Suggesting a Dispersed Storm (Sensu nSearching for FirefliesSuzuki Harunobu — Searching for FirefliesTwo Young Women Walking Under an UmbrellaIsoda Koryusai — Two Young Women Walking Under an UmbrellaClearing Breeze from a Fan (Ogi no seiran), from the series "Eight Views of the Parlor (Zashiki hakkei)"Suzuki Harunobu — Clearing Breeze from a Fan (Ogi no seiran)Memorial Portrait of the Actor Onoe Kikugoro IV and His WifeUtagawa School — Memorial Portrait of the Actor Onoe KikugorThe Dance of the Shrine Maidens Ohatsu and OnamiSuzuki Harunobu — The Dance of the Shrine Maidens Ohatsu andReturning Sails at Ryogoku River (Ryogoku no kihan), from the series "Eight Parodies by Contemporary Beauties (Tosei mitate bijin hakkei)"Kitao Shigemasa — Returning Sails at Ryogoku River (Ryogoku The Entertainer Tamino and the Serving Girl Nui of the SumiyoshiyaEishosai Choki — The Entertainer Tamino and the Serving GirlGoing to the Kabuki Theater in the Hour of the Hare (From the Series The Twelve Hours with Daily Events)Kitagawa Hidemaro (Japanese) — Going to the Kabuki Theater i