Taoyagi and Takigawa are the stars of Ougiya, a popular shop in Yoshiwara.

It depicts her getting ready before going out to the store, looking in the mirror and putting on lipstick.

Yoshiwara is a brothel officially recognized by the Edo shogunate, and Yoshiwara is the name of the place.

They are the top-ranking prostitutes in the brothel, known as Oiran, and popular courtesans were often featured in literary works and depicted in ukiyoe prints.

◆Commentary

At that time, along with Kabuki actors, "Oiran" also depicted in Ukiyoe and had a promiscuous role.

She was also popular as a fashion leader for women.

It is said that the size of the hairpin worn in the hair is a characteristic of the courtesan, and is depicted a bit exaggeratedly in Ukiyoe.

↓↓↓hairpin of "Oiran"

↓↓↓ordinary hairpin

◆About UtamaroⅡ

He was a pupil of Utamaro I, who was the foremost painter of beautiful women in Ukiyo-e. When Utamaro died, he married his wife and called himself Utamaro II.

Utamaro II produced illustrations for printed books and large Nishiki-e paintings, and his style is so similar to that of Utamaro I in his later years that it is difficult to tell them apart.

Other Ukiyo-e prints by Kitagawa Utamaro II

↓↓↓"three beautiful women"