Name/Title
The Courtesan Unegawa and ChubeiEntry/Object ID
120.U.BU.0026Description
A man wearing a black head covering and the courtesan whom he loves are shown with their heads together under a partially visible umbrella. She has a scarf over her head with one end touching her lips. The head coverings are meant to disguise their identity while the two famous lovers, Chubei and Unegawa are on a journey to Chubei's hometown ofNinokuchi. Typical of the period, this work is part of a romantic story of a couples whose love is opposed by society and they face insurmountable problems. The couples, unable to legitimize their love choose to die together; double suicides were the outcome of these tragedies. The faces of the figures are not meant to be likenesses but to convey the emotion of their desperation.Artwork Details
Medium
Woodblock Print (Ukiyo-e)Dimensions
Dimension Description
OuterHeight
25-5/8 inWidth
20-1/8 inDepth
1-1/4 inDimension Description
SightHeight
14-3/8 inWidth
9-1/2 in