Osakaya waitress trying to pull traveler into shop

Suzuki Harunobu, artist

circa 1725–1770

Osakaya waitress trying to pull traveler into shop, late 1760s, Edo period (1600–1868)

Portfolio/Series title: 100 min Isshoi (100 Poems Anthology)

Where object was made: Japan

Material/technique: color woodcut

Dimensions:
Image Dimensions Height/Width (Height x Width): 288 x 212 mm
Image Dimensions Height/Width (Height x Width): 11 5/16 x 8 3/8 in
Sheet/Paper Dimensions (Height x Width): 288 x 216 mm
Sheet/Paper Dimensions (Height x Width): 11 5/16 x 8 1/2 in
Mat Dimensions (Height x Width): 19 x 14 in

Credit line: William Bridges Thayer Memorial

Accession number: 1928.7582

Not on display

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In this print, Harunobu gives us a glimpse of a seldom seen aspect of the life of the floating world- the need to attract business. Competition among restaurants and inns must have been fierce at the highway barriers where travelers were required to stop and produce travel permits. The young waitress of the Osaka-ya Restaurant is not engaged in amorous or artistic pursuits, but runs into the street to drag a potential customer into her establishment.

This print is from a series illustrating verses from the Hyakunin Isshu (Anthology of One Hundred Poems) compiled by the court poet and critic Fujiwara Teika (1162-1241). The poem refers to travelers at the Osaka Barrier, an important way-station near Kyoto.