Courtisanes kijkend naar de herfstmaan after 1800

Katsushika Hokusai created this woodblock print titled 'Courtesans Viewing the Autumn Moon' sometime in the 19th century. The print offers a glimpse into the lives of courtesans, women who were entertainers, artists, and often, trendsetters in Edo-period Japan. The women are depicted indoors, elegantly dressed, as they admire the moon. Moon-viewing was a popular aristocratic pastime that later became popular among other classes. Cultural references and visual codes are layered in the way these women are represented, from their elaborate clothing to their cultivated appreciation of nature. But, in a changing economic and social landscape, the courtesans also became an important marker of class. They are both admired and looked down upon, hinting at deeper social commentary. Further research into Edo-period woodblock prints and social histories would certainly enrich our understanding.