Pleasures of the Aged c. 1768 - 1770

Suzuki Harunobu produced this polychrome woodblock print, titled "Pleasures of the Aged," in Japan during the 1760s. This image offers a glimpse into the licenced pleasure quarters of Edo-period Japan, where courtesans, known as 'oiran,' entertained wealthy clients. Here, Harunobu subverts expectations. The poem inscribed above suggests we might be viewing a younger couple, yet the figures are aged. This challenges social norms, perhaps satirizing the idealized beauty of youth prevalent in Ukiyo-e prints. The intimate setting, with its subtle eroticism, invites us to consider the complex dynamics of desire and social status. By studying contemporary literature, fashion, and historical accounts of the pleasure districts, we can gain deeper insights into the social commentary embedded within Harunobu's seemingly simple print. Art history reveals how images, even those of pleasure, are always embedded in and commenting on the social conditions of their time.