Female Entertainer with a Young Man

ca. 1679–84
Not on view
Returned to lender
This work of art was on loan to the museum and has since been returned to its lender.
Considered the founder of the lineage of ukiyo-e woodblock print artists, Moronobu drew on his experience growing up in a family of textile designers to create prints with bold outlines and graphic renderings of kimono patterns. Here, a female entertainer, who has set aside her three-stringed shamisen, and a young samurai, who has put down his sword, engage in playful banter. The monochrome print (sumizuri-e) was produced with ink, then colored by hand.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • 菱川師宣画 遊女と若衆
  • Title: Female Entertainer with a Young Man
  • Artist: Hishikawa Moronobu 菱川師宣 (Japanese, 1618–1694)
  • Period: Edo period (1615–1868)
  • Date: ca. 1679–84
  • Culture: Japan
  • Medium: Woodblock print (sumizuri-e); ink and hand-applied color on paper; horizontal ōban
  • Dimensions: Frame: 16 9/16 × 20 1/16 in. (42.1 × 51 cm)
    Image: 10 3/4 × 14 1/2 in. (27.3 × 36.8 cm)
  • Classification: Prints
  • Credit Line: Lent by Lee E. Dirks
  • Curatorial Department: Asian Art