The Prostitute Sōgiku of the Matsukaneya House c. 1770s

Isoda Koryūsai’s “The Prostitute Sōgiku of the Matsukaneya House” at the Minneapolis Institute of Art is a woodblock print in the *hashira-e* format, characterized by its narrow, vertical orientation. The composition directs our gaze upwards along the figure of the courtesan, using a subtle palette of pinks and blacks, offset against the neutral ground. Notice how Koryūsai employs line and form: vertical stripes create a sense of elongation, while the robes envelop the body, and the textures of the fabric contrast with the smooth skin of the subject. The semiotic interplay is complex, and engages with the social and artistic codes of Edo-period Japan. The narrow format challenges traditional representational space; the gaze is drawn vertically, destabilizing traditional perspective. The delicate balance and careful attention to material detail invite contemplation, reflecting broader philosophical concerns of perception, representation and artistic innovation.