A considerable part of the subject matter of the ukiyo-e woodblock prints was life in Yoshiwara (吉原), Edo's most famous pleasure district. This work, also from the Hokusai Museum, is called "Ogiya no Shinnen" (扇屋の新年) i.e. "New Year's Day at Ogiya", one of the Yoshiwara's top brothels or alternatively "Yoshiwara Yukaku no Kei" (吉原遊廓の景) i.e. "Scenes from the Yoshiwara Licensed Quarter", was made around 1804, it is in five pieces and measures 14 1/2 x 48 1/2 inches. And has amazing detail.
(For a bigger version of this picture both in color and black and white, check my "Japan Arekore" set on Flickr).
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