2-735-916 - Heritage Art/Heritage Images

New Yoshiwara (Shin Yoshiwara), from the series Famous Places in the Eastern Capital, early 1830s. In this dramatic night scene, Kuniyoshi emphasized the moon and its huge glowing halo. He employed Western-style shadows beneath the figures and the palanquin. The man at the center is singing with his mouth wide open. Perhaps he is headed home after drinking in New Yoshiwara, the pleasure quarter, visible only as a series of low rooflines in the background beyond the rice paddies. The chatting pair and wealthy passenger inside the palanquin may be on their way to the pleasure quarter.