『北国五色墨』「おいらん」, ?High-Ranking Courtesan? (Oiran), from the series Five Shades of Ink in the Northern Quarter (Hokkoku goshiki-zumi), Edo period (1615?1868), 1794?95, Japan, Polychrome woodblock print; ink and color on paper, Oban 14 3/4 x 9 3/4 in. (37. 5 x 24. 8 cm), Prints, Kitagawa Utamaro (Japanese, 1753? ?1806), A high-ranking courtesan (oiran) from the Yoshiwara brothel district is captured by the artist in a private moment. Having just washed her hair, she wets the tip of the brush with her lips as she contemplates writing a letter