The Courtesan Hanatsuru of the Higashiōgiya Brothel as the Dragon Princess Otohime, from the series Costume Parade of the Shinmachi Quarter in Osaka (Ōsaka Shinmachi nerimono)

Yanagawa Shigenobu 柳川重信

An item at Metropolitan Museum of Art

The courtesan Hanatsuru of the Higashi Ōgiya Brothel is elaborately garbed as Princess of the Dragon Palace (Ryūgū Otohime), for a costume parade that was held in the summer of 1822 in the Shinmachi licensed quarters in Osaka. Her crown is shaped like a coiled dragon, she grasps a fan in one hand, and her fabulous robes are decorated with a motif of waves, coral and magic jewels. Usually referred to as the Dragon Princess, Otohime is one of the protagonists in the popular legend of Urashima Tarō, a young fisherman. The Dragon Princess was also featured in Bugaku dance performances in a similar costume.

Asian Art

An exhibit at Metropolitan Museum of Art

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.

Metropolitan Museum of Art