A Man in a Kneeling Posture Bending Forward and Listening to an Oiran who is Playing the Shamisen 1695 - 1717

This woodblock print by Okumura Masanobu presents a scene of intimate engagement. A man kneels, leaning in to listen to an Oiran playing a shamisen. The composition, with its emphasis on line and shape, draws us into the depicted world of courtesans and their patrons. Masanobu's use of flat, unmodulated color fields creates a graphic quality. Notice how the robes of the figures are adorned with intricate patterns, contrasting sharply with the plain background, emphasizing their presence. The careful arrangement of objects, like the tea set, offers a glimpse into the cultivated environment surrounding the figures. The print explores themes of performance, attention, and social hierarchy through its formal elements. The man's subservient posture contrasts with the Oiran's upright composure, subtly indicating dynamics of power within the composition. These formal qualities are not merely aesthetic choices, but function as signs within a rich cultural discourse.