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Courtesan Holding a Finger Puppet and Teasing her Attendant
Courtesan Holding a Finger Puppet and Teasing her Attendant
Public domain: Image courtesy of the Worcester Art Museum.

Courtesan Holding a Finger Puppet and Teasing her Attendant

Artist
Dateabout 1715
MediumWoodblock print (tan-e); ink on paper, with hand-applied color
DimensionsNagaban; 57 x 15 cm (26 3/8 x 5 7/8 in.)
ClassificationsPrints
Credit LineJohn Chandler Bancroft Collection
Object number1901.60
Label TextCourtesan and girl attendant (kamuro). The courtesan holds a finger puppet, a wagtail with a human head, in her right hand. According to legend this bird taught the parents of the Sun Goddess the ways of love. The courtesan turns to look down at her kamuro who begs for the toy with hands uplifted and palms together. Her furisode (long-sleeved kimono) has a striking pattern of peaches of long life on a black ground upon the sleeves and bottom of the skirt. The kamuro's kimono is decorated with a design of stylized plovers (chidori) and pine.ProvenanceJohn Chandler Bancroft Collection, -1901
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