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context: painting > prints > subjects
Pleasure Quarters
Obviously the term ukiyo-e refers to the 'floating world', which points at the inconsequential and hedonistic approach to life found in certain areas of town. Printmaking was very centred on Edo, so its pleasure quarter, the Yoshiwara, is what we are seeing, almost without exception. I tend to find that at this cultural, geographic and chronological distance, I can't easily tell when that is what I am seeing - but it seems to be a pretty good bet that if there is any hint of sexiness and liveliness in any town scene, the odds are good that that's where we are. Another clue is when the women have their sash's bow tied front and centre - this means they are prostitutes.
This Masanobu print is an example, as well as an example of the perspective print.