Portrait Of A Courtesan
Japanese Woman
Wall Scroll

Portrait of a Courtesan

Geikoku to Shirushi

A lovely portrait of a young beauty holding her hand up to her chin, a delicate string tied around her slender wrist. Her hair is piled high in a graceful arrangement ornamented with a large comb and several hairpins. There is beautiful fine line work in the striped kimono and hairline. This courtesan is depicted in smooth curves with subdued colors and patterns, creating a graceful atmosphere.

The title is 芸国と印 though the first character is written in the older 藝 version on the artwork.

Alternate English translation titles include: "Geikoku and Seal" or "To… of the Land of Geisha", which seem a little nonsensical to me.

芸国 or Geikoku is an abbreviation as the 芸 or "Gei" is as in 芸者 or "Geisha". Meanwhile, the 国 means land or kingdom. Hence, the land of the Geisha.
The と印 or "to shirushi" in the title probably refers to Toyohina, a courtesan or geisha with a reputation in Yoshiwara.
A better title might be, "Toyohina from the Land of the Geisha".

On the right edge, you will find a signature with the pen name 歌麿筆 (Utamaro Hitsu). The artist's full name is 喜多川歌麿 (Kitagawa Utamaro). He was born in Japan in Edo (now known as Tokyo) around 1753. He only lived to the age of 53, dying in 1806.

Original artist: Kitagawa Utamaro / 喜多川歌麿 (1753-1806).
Publisher: Tsuruya Kiemon / 鶴屋喜右衛門 Original woodblock was created in Japan, in 1795.

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About Real Japanese Woodblock Prints

Woodblock printing, often considered the precursor to the modern printing press, was first developed in China and later brought to Japan, where artists refined the technique into a unique art form. In Japan, these prints are called 木版畫 ("Moku Hanga"). Most were created during the Edo period (1603–1867), though production continued into the early 20th century.

Japanese artists would first create a "template painting" depicting scenes of daily life, including women washing clothes, men writing poetry, samurai battles, and occasionally more dramatic subjects. These template images, known as 浮世絵 (Ukiyo-e, or "Floating World"), were then carved into wood by skilled artisans. Another specialist applied wet ink or pigments to the carved blocks, and a sheet of handmade paper was pressed on to create the final print. This collaborative process produced vibrant, detailed artworks much faster than hand-painting hundreds of copies.

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About This Reproduction

Original Japanese woodblock prints from the Edo period can sell for $800 to $20,000. Our prints are high-quality reproductions, crafted to capture the look and feel of the originals, though experts will recognize them as reproductions.

We use authentic handmade kozo (mulberry) paper—the same paper Japanese printmakers used centuries ago. Archival, UV-resistant pigment inks ensure long-lasting color, with laboratory testing showing up to 95 years of fade-free enjoyment if kept out of direct sunlight. Each reproduction is carefully color-corrected and restored, bringing the Edo period artwork to life for your wall.

Printing on delicate handmade paper is challenging. After testing multiple high-end printers, we found the Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-2000 delivers the precision and quality needed, using 12 archival inks and 18,432 nozzles. Each print is then sent to our Beijing workshop, where it is mounted into a handmade wall scroll, ready-to-hang without the need for expensive framing, giving your piece an authentic Japanese look.

Because the original artist has long passed, these works are public domain. In some cases, we license high-resolution scans of original prints, or even scan 200-year-old originals ourselves. This dedication ensures you receive a stunning Japanese woodblock print reproduction at an affordable price, making traditional Asian art accessible to everyone.

Want a custom wall scroll or unique print size? Just contact us!

We can print larger sizes, choose your preferred paper texture, and select silk brocade colors. Ready-to-frame prints can ship in days, while custom wall scrolls may take several weeks. Either way, the result is a truly one-of-a-kind piece of Japanese art.