Drie courtisanes uit het Tamaya huis c. 1828

Utagawa Toyokuni II created this woodblock print, "Three Courtesans of the Tamaya House," in Japan, likely in the early 19th century. It offers a glimpse into the licensed pleasure quarters of the Edo period. The print depicts women, instantly recognizable through their elaborate hairstyles and clothing. The image creates meaning through the visual codes associated with their profession and the cultural references to the Tamaya House. Their attire signals a social position operating outside the norms of everyday society. The Tamaya House, a high-ranking brothel, suggests themes of commerce, entertainment, and the complex social structures. These businesses were institutions, regulated by the government, and embedded in the economic and cultural life of the time. Understanding this print requires exploring the history of the Edo period, the social hierarchy, and the role of the pleasure quarters. By researching period documents, contemporary accounts, and the history of institutions like the Tamaya House, we can better understand the complex social dynamics reflected in this image.