Three Courtesans Weaving Silk 1615 - 1868

This print by Nishikawa Sukenobu, made some time in the early 18th century, shows us three courtesans weaving silk using traditional Japanese tools. What's striking is how Sukenobu brings together the supposedly separate realms of fine art and craft. We see the material of silk being transformed from raw fiber into a woven textile through distinct actions. One courtesan is reeling the silk from a basin of water, another is using a winding machine, and the third is preparing the threads for the loom. The print captures the labor involved, yet presents it as an elegant, refined activity. This raises an important question: who usually performs this kind of labor and how is that labor valued? By placing courtesans at the heart of this work, Sukenobu elevates these women and the craft they practice, positioning them in a space usually reserved for more conventional artistic subjects. This work challenges us to reconsider the social and cultural significance of materials, and to recognize the value of skilled work no matter who performs it.