{"product_id":"yosooi-of-the-matsubaya-kitagawa-utamaro","title":"Yosooi of the Matsubaya - Kitagawa Utamaro","description":"\u003cp\u003eA classic ukiyo-e woodblock print by Kitagawa Utamaro, depicting the courtesan Yosooi in a moment of quiet reflection.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis woodblock print by Kitagawa Utamaro depicts Yosooi, a high-ranking courtesan from the Matsubaya house in the Yoshiwara district of Edo. It belongs to the series Selections from Six Houses in Yoshiwara, a collection that documented the most celebrated women of the pleasure quarters. Utamaro is recognised for his mastery of the bijin-ga genre, which focuses on the portrayal of beautiful women.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe composition employs an okubi-e, or large-head, format, which allows for a close examination of the subject's features and expression. Yosooi is shown in a moment of quiet concentration, holding a scroll and brush. Her elaborate hairstyle, adorned with numerous hairpins, signifies her status within the hierarchy of the Yoshiwara. The kimono features a repeating butterfly motif, rendered with precision against the muted tones of the background.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUtamaro uses fine, fluid lines to define the contours of the face and the folds of the fabric. The print demonstrates the technical capabilities of the ukiyo-e tradition, where the collaboration between artist, carver, and printer resulted in a refined aesthetic. The colour palette is restrained, relying on soft ochres, muted reds, and black ink to create a sense of balance. This work provides a window into the cultural life of late eighteenth-century Japan, capturing the poise and fashion of the period without resorting to excessive ornamentation. The focus remains on the individual character of the sitter, presented with a sense of calm and introspection.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"margin-top:2rem;padding-top:1.5rem;border-top:1px solid #e5e5e5;\"\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-size:0.85rem;color:#888;font-weight:600;margin:0 0 0.75rem;text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:0.05em;\"\u003eYou might also like\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"display:flex;flex-wrap:wrap;gap:0.5rem;\"\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/frolicking-figures-and-animals-kawanabe-kyosai\" style=\"display:inline-block;background:#f8f9fa;border:1px solid #e5e5e5;border-radius:20px;padding:0.35rem 0.85rem;font-size:0.8rem;color:#2a555a;font-weight:500;text-decoration:none !important;background-image:none !important;\"\u003eFrolicking Figures and Animals - Kawanabe Kyōsai — Kawanabe Kyōsai\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/mountains-and-rivers-along-the-kisokaido-utagawa-hiroshige\" style=\"display:inline-block;background:#f8f9fa;border:1px solid #e5e5e5;border-radius:20px;padding:0.35rem 0.85rem;font-size:0.8rem;color:#2a555a;font-weight:500;text-decoration:none !important;background-image:none !important;\"\u003eMountains and Rivers Along the Kisokaidō - Utagawa Hiroshige — Utagawa Hiroshige\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Kitagawa Utamaro","offers":[{"title":"Fine Art Poster \/ A4 (21x29.7 cm) \/ -","offer_id":58931100189007,"sku":null,"price":28.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Poster \/ A3 (29.7 x 42  cm) \/ -","offer_id":58931278250319,"sku":null,"price":35.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Poster \/ A2 (42 x 59.4  cm) \/ -","offer_id":58931278283087,"sku":null,"price":45.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A4 (21x29.7 cm) \/ Black frame","offer_id":58931278315855,"sku":null,"price":45.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A4 (21x29.7 cm) \/ Wood frame","offer_id":58931278348623,"sku":null,"price":45.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A4 (21x29.7 cm) \/ Dark wood frame","offer_id":58931278381391,"sku":null,"price":45.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A3 (29.7 x 42  cm) \/ Black frame","offer_id":58931278414159,"sku":null,"price":60.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A3 (29.7 x 42  cm) \/ Wood frame","offer_id":58931278446927,"sku":null,"price":60.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A3 (29.7 x 42  cm) \/ Dark wood frame","offer_id":58931278479695,"sku":null,"price":60.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A2 (42 x 59.4  cm) \/ Black frame","offer_id":58931278512463,"sku":null,"price":90.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A2 (42 x 59.4  cm) \/ Wood frame","offer_id":58931278545231,"sku":null,"price":90.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A2 (42 x 59.4  cm) \/ Dark wood frame","offer_id":58931278577999,"sku":null,"price":90.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0833\/9292\/1935\/files\/Yosooi-of-the-Matsubaya_Poster_CompositorV1_1790705514622.jpg?v=1790705807","url":"https:\/\/www.solisprints.co.uk\/products\/yosooi-of-the-matsubaya-kitagawa-utamaro","provider":"Solis Prints","version":"1.0","type":"link"}