Tenugui – Hand-towel

1793-1804

Utamaro revolutionized Japanese art by zooming in on faces, creating the 'big-head' style seen here where the subject's elaborate hair is almost as large as her body. This beauty from the Yoshiwara pleasure district wears a fashionable plaid kimono and drapes a white hand towel (tenugui) over her shoulder, capturing a quiet, intimate moment. The print belongs to a witty series called 'Eight Views of the Parlor,' which playfully parodied classic Chinese landscape themes by swapping scenic mountains for the daily lives of courtesans. It is a fantastic snapshot of Edo-period fashion that feels surprisingly modern in its focus on personal style.

Technique: Woodblock print
Material: Paper

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