/internal/media/dispatcher/944581/resize%25253Aformat%25253DthumbnailCourtesan of Osaka, Right Sheet of a Triptych (Ōsaka, sanpukutsui migi)about 1735 (Kyōhō 20)Hirose ShigenobuMurataya Jirobei (Eiyūdō)Hosoban; 31.5 x 14.6 cm (12 3/8 x 5 3/4 in.)Woodblock print (urushi-e); ink on paper, with hand-applied color and nikawaWilliam S. and John T. Spaulding Collection21.58840In early hosoban triptychs, "left" and "right" often (but not always) mean "proper left" and "proper right," that is, right and left respectively as seen by the viewer.
The theme of the triptych is "Courtesans of the Three Cities," with Edo represented in the right sheet, Kyoto in the center sheet, and Osaka in the left sheet. In the second edition, the heads were replaced and their position was reversed; see Waterhouse for discussion of states.
Right sheet, first state: 21.5883
Center sheet, third (?) state: 06.1109
Left sheet, first state: 21.5884Prints31.500000000023356201