The Courtesan Konosumi, from the series “Beauties of the Southern Quarter”(Nangoku bijin awase)

The Courtesan Konosumi, from the series “Beauties of the Southern Quarter”(Nangoku bijin awase)

Kitagawa Utamaro

An item at Metropolitan Museum of Art

This beauty, a high-ranking courtesan must have been the dream ideal worshipped by many a romantic young man. The most splendid costumes were created during the late 18th century for these arbiters of fashion and style. Robes of silk crepe, velvet or satin were worn with broad sashes (obi) of gold and silk brocades. Her pyramidal coiffure, piled high on her head and embellished with elaborate hairpins is a dramatic change from the more casual styles of the early 18th century and required the care of a professional hairdresser. Tokyo Bay in summer is pictured on her fan, with a poem by Magao, a contemporary writer. It was translated by Louis Ledoux as follows: Even as guests do, So do the summer breezes Ever returning, Come to Sodegaura, Place of heavenly coolness.

Asian Art

An exhibit at Metropolitan Museum of Art

The Courtesan Konosumi, from the series “Beauties of the Southern Quarter”(Nangoku bijin awase)The Courtesan Konosumi, from the series “Beauties of the Southern Quarter”(Nangoku bijin awase)The Courtesan Konosumi, from the series “Beauties of the Southern Quarter”(Nangoku bijin awase)The Courtesan Konosumi, from the series “Beauties of the Southern Quarter”(Nangoku bijin awase)The Courtesan Konosumi, from the series “Beauties of the Southern Quarter”(Nangoku bijin awase)

The Met's collection of Asian art—more than 35,000 objects, ranging in date from the third millennium B.C. to the twenty-first century—is one of the largest and most comprehensive in the world. Each of the many civilizations of Asia is represented by outstanding works, providing an unrivaled experience of the artistic traditions of nearly half the world.