吉原仲の町花魁道中 / Courtesans Promenading on the Nakanochō in Yoshiwara

Utagawa Toyokuni I, 吉原仲の町花魁道中 / Courtesans Promenading on the Nakanochō in Yoshiwara, Triptych of polychrome woodblock prints; ink and color on paper, 1795, 39.1 cm x 127 cm.

This wood print depicts the picture of courtesans promenading on the Nakanocho in Yoshiwara. Elaborately dressed courtesans accompanied by attendants from different brothels are promenading on the street to show their fashion taste and social status. By looking at their clothes, the audience can determine courtesans’ social status, rankings, and positions. From the aspect of the patterns on the kimono, we are able to have a sense of springtime even though there are no real features such as blooming flowers or trees. The bright color of the kimono and the blooming sakura patterns indicate the season of spring. To conclude, kimonos play an important role in identifying people and indicating the occasion of that moment when we appreciate Japanese paintings.