Artwork
蹄斎北馬筆 三味線持つ美人図|Female Entertainer with Shamisen
蹄斎北馬筆 三味線持つ美人図|Female Entertainer with Shamisen is an ink painting by the Romanticist artist Teisai Hokuba. It dates from 1814 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
The shamisen's prominence underscores its symbolic role as an emblem of urban popular culture and artistic accomplishment in early nineteenth-century Japan.
The painting depicts a woman holding a shamisen, a three-stringed musical instrument central to Edo-period entertainment culture. Her attire and posture align with representations of courtesans or geigi (musical entertainers) from the ukiyo-e tradition, suggesting a scene of refined performance or leisure. The shamisen's prominence underscores its symbolic role as an emblem of urban popular culture and artistic accomplishment in early nineteenth-century Japan.
The work likely portrays a figure associated with the licensed pleasure quarters of Edo, where shamisen music accompanied dance and social gatherings. Such imagery reflects broader ukiyo-e ideals linking femininity, music, and the transient pleasures of the floating world.
Technique & Style
Executed in 1814, this hanging scroll by Teisai Hokuba uses ink and color applied to paper. The work measures 79.1 cm in height and 28.6 cm in width. Stylistically, the piece functions as a portrait within the ukiyo-e tradition, depicting a female figure holding a shamisen.
The composition focuses on the subject and her musical instrument, rendered through the artist's characteristic handling of line and pigment on the paper support.
History & Provenance
Female Entertainer with Shamisen is dated 1814 and attributed to Teisai Hokuba, a pupil of Hokusai. A hanging scroll in ink and color on paper, it depicts a woman holding a shamisen and measures 79.1 cm in height by 28.6 cm in width. It is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.
The available documentation confirms the artist and creation date but does not provide a specific accession number or a detailed record of past exhibitions.
Overview
Created in 1814 by Teisai Hokuba, 'Female Entertainer with Shamisen' is a hanging scroll executed in ink and color on paper. The work depicts a single female entertainer, likely a geisha or maiko, captured in a moment of musical performance. She holds a shamisen, her fingers positioned mid-stroke on the three strings, suggesting the suspension of sound.
Hokuba, a prominent student of Katsushika Hokusai, demonstrates his mastery of the ukiyo-e tradition while distinguishing his style from his teacher's dramatic landscapes. The composition focuses on the figure's elegant posture and the tilt of her head, emphasizing a quiet, introspective atmosphere rather than dynamic action. Her attire features a patterned kimono contrasted by a vivid red obi, while her pale skin and black hair are rendered with crisp ink lines and soft coloration typical of the Edo period.
This portrait highlights Hokuba's skill in capturing the refined aesthetics of the pleasure quarters, focusing on the subtle expressions and delicate gestures of the subject. The piece stands as a representative example of his portraiture, showcasing a departure from the monumental subjects often associated with Hokusai in favor of intimate, character-driven studies.
Context
This hanging scroll was likely intended for display in a teahouse or a similar private, informal setting, rather than a formal palace environment. Its intimate scale and subject matter align with the aesthetics of such spaces, designed for quiet contemplation and appreciation of refined artistry. The work reflects a cultural preference for subtle beauty in everyday life.
Artist & collection
