KATSUSHIKA HOKUSAI (1760-1849)

Hokusai’s intention of portraying flowers in an anthropomorphic manner is well demonstrated in this design. He avoided using a full front angle, in the same manner of portraying courtesans at the time. Portrayed against a plain background, the lilies in various blooming stages occupied the entire picture. The various stages perhaps resemble different stages of a courtesan’s life. The start-to-bloom lily is slightly intimidated and almost closing herself, but the tiny open pedal tips suggest her unconceivable curiosity; the half-bloom one, though turning to her side, is waiting quietly for her moment; the fully bloomed lily at the bottom glories in her beauty much like a parading geisha. The buds, only revealing their tips, are reminiscent of maiko, or the apprentice geisha. A group portrait of beauties in Yoshiwara is presented here.