The artwork titled “Looking Tasty – The Appearance of a Courtesan During the Kaei Era” was created by Tsukioka Yoshitoshi in the year 1888. This piece belongs to the Ukiyo-e art movement and falls under the genre of portraiture. It is part of the series “Thirty-two Aspects of Daily Life”.
The artwork depicts a courtesan with an air of calm contemplation. She is adorned with traditional attire featuring a striped kimono and an elaborate hairstyle embellished with hairpins. The figure’s serene expression and delicate features are meticulously rendered. She is seen holding a skewer with what appears to be food, indicative of the title, “Looking Tasty”. The background provides a subtle setting, composed to highlight the courtesan, with a soft gradient likely representing the sky and a ceiling structure or a setting sun. The use of color and detail exemplifies the refined aesthetics of Ukiyo-e, offering an intimate glimpse into the daily life and appearance of a courtesan during the Kaei era.
