Evocative Isho-ningyo of an Oiran High Ranking Courtesan, Edo Period

Live Auction

18" (46 cm.) Isho-ningyo of an Oiran high ranking courtesan with head of wood covered in a fine white gofun with painted details and silk fiber hair arranged in an elaborate coiffure is attired in six layers of kimono secured with a birodo black velvet obi tied in front with an embroidered fan design and a fan tucked into the front, over a blue silk brocade kimono followed by a chirimen silk crepe kimono with a repeated cherry blossom pattern done in a paste resist technique, posed on a flat black lacquered base. Wear to fabrics. Edo Period, 19th century. Courtesans from the pleasure districts of Edo, Kyoto and Osaka were the superstars of their day, with guidebooks published over the years indicating crests, houses of assignation and even pricing. Courtesans were ranked with the highest levels being the tayu and orian. The numbers of tayu over the years declined and by the 19th century the oiran was considered the highest level. The subject of innumerable woodblock prints, they were also popular studies for isho-ningyo artisans beginning in the 18th century. This figure is marked by the extravagant use of birodo, which was considered quite an expensive fabric and seen as a luxury item. Ningyo using birodo or birodo accents were typically of higher quality. The way the artisan here has layered the fabrics and presented them in stacked lines at the hem is striking.