KITAGAWA UTAMARO (1853?-1806)

Depicted here is the most famous scene from a play featuring the high-ranking courtesan Yugiri of the Ogiya brothel in Osaka, and her handsome lover Izaemon. Izaemon has been disinherited and visits Yugiri in a destitute state. His head hangs forwards whilst he plays the shamisen, behind him Yugiri is on the point of tears.

For another impression in the collections of The British Museum, museum no. 1924,0115,0.27, go to:
https://www.britishmuseum.org/research/collection_online/collection_object_details.aspx?objectId=784550&partId=1