Three Beauties 1780 - 1795

Katsukawa Shunchō created this woodblock print, "Three Beauties," in Japan in the late 18th century. These images of beautiful women, or “bijinga,” were a popular genre of ukiyo-e prints during the Edo period. They offer us a window into the era's aesthetic ideals and social values. Shunchō’s work captures the refined elegance of courtesans, who were tastemakers in fashion and culture. Their elaborate hairstyles, exquisite kimonos, and graceful poses reflect the sophisticated world of the pleasure quarters. These prints were not simply portraits; they were carefully constructed representations that spoke to contemporary notions of beauty, status, and desire. The patronage of these images also involved the cultural and economic institutions of the time. To fully understand this print, we can turn to a range of sources: historical documents, fashion trends, and the social history of the pleasure quarters. By doing so, we can appreciate the complex interplay of art, commerce, and society in Edo-period Japan.