Fujimura Handayu as a Courtesan
1714
From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art
1714
From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art
This painting shows Fujimura Handayu as a courtesan. He's holding a small wooden bucket dressed in a straw hat and robe. The robe has a crest on it, which is a symbol from a popular Japanese tale of revenge. The story behind the crest is interesting. It's from a tale about the Soga brothers. They were known for their bravery and loyalty. This story was popular in Japan during the Edo period. You can learn more about this style by looking at the work of Torii Kiyomasu (Japanese).