Art Prints

Print from the series “Women of the Seven Houses” by Kikukawa Eizan (1787–1867) depicting the courtesan Ichikawa from the Matsubaya pleasure house....

The book “Mirror of Beautiful Women of the Pleasure Quarters” depicts the daytime activities of the courtesans such as reading, arranging flowers, ...

In the series “Beauties of the Yoshiwara as Six Floral Immortals”, the artist Chôbunsai Eishi compares each courtesan to a beautiful flower.

The 'Green Houses', or the pleasure houses, with the notable courtesans, became an integral part of Japanese life in the Edo period. “A Mirror of B...

The 'Green Houses', or the pleasure houses, with the notable courtesans, became an integral part of Japanese life in the Edo period. “A Mirror of B...

The 'Green Houses', or the pleasure houses, with the notable courtesans, became an integral part of Japanese life in the Edo period. “A Mirror of B...

The 'Green Houses', or the pleasure houses, with the notable courtesans, became an integral part of Japanese life in the Edo period. “A Mirror of B...

The 'Green Houses', or the pleasure houses, with the notable courtesans, became an integral part of Japanese life in the Edo period. “A Mirror of B...

Puppies are commonly associated to happiness, friendship, contentment and loyalty. Woodblock print by Kōno Bairei (1844-1895).

The Japanese word for monkey, “saru’” is a homonym for the Japanese word “expel” (also pronounced saru), meaning “dispel” or “push away”. This has ...

Books in Japan during the Edo period (1603–1867) were almost exclusively produced by woodblock printing, and printed on Japanese paper and side‐sti...

If a customer wished to see one of the high class “oiran” courtesans, they would first have to go via the “chaya” (tea house) who would act as medi...

Japanese brush painting from the Edo period attributed to Soga Nichokuan. Dragons first appear in Japanese literature dating as far back to 680 AD....

The goose never leaves one of its own kind behind. This auspicious animal is related to the virtue of cooperation, teamwork, and also the ability t...

These totem birds symbolise the arrival of a brighter future, whilst also representing love, faith, hope and loyalty. Image from a woodblock print ...

Stone lanterns are traditionally votive lights, with the light in the lamp representing the sacred teachings to help overcome the darkness of ignor...

The majestic lily has long held an important role in many cultures and for many centuries. The flower has been revered as a symbol of purity, virtu...

Traditionally the bamboo has been considered as a symbol of good luck. The hollow centre signifies spirituality and purity. Green through all seaso...

Traditionally the bamboo has been considered as a symbol of good luck. The hollow centre signifies spirituality and purity. Green through all seaso...

The pine tree is portrayed as the focal point of the snowy landscape. Both the Japanese and Chinese regard the evergreen pine as a symbol of longev...

The carrion crow is native to Japan. According to the Japanese folk belief it was thought to be a messenger of the gods. The crow is also associate...

The way cats wash their faces licking their paws and wiping their face - it is as if they are inviting good luck beckoning with their paw. Cats wit...

The way cats wash their faces licking their paws and wiping their face - it is as if they are inviting good luck, beckoning with their paw. Cats wi...

Ducks symbolise protection, adaptability, emotional strength and the gift of intuition. They represent the importance of living in the present mome...

The way cats wash their faces licking their paws and wiping their face - it is as if they are inviting good luck beckoning with their paw. Cats wit...

The goose never leaves one of its own kind behind. This auspicious animal is related to the virtue of cooperation and teamwork. From a woodblock pr...

The waxwing bird is believed to teach selflessness and generosity. This artwork is a Japanese woodblock print by the artist Koson Ohara, who was th...

The plum blossom expresses enduring happiness. Used as a congratulatory symbol of good luck, it represents strength, resilience, beauty and longevi...

Leaves depict hope, renewal, and revival, and are symbolic of growth. Pattern from an antique Japanese book "Collection of Designs of the Capital" ...

Leaves depict hope, renewal, and revival, and are symbolic of growth. Pattern from an antique Japanese book "Collection of Designs of the Capital" ...

The circle represents the universe and the infinite nature of energy. As a basic symbol of protection, it is a symbol of inclusion and wholeness. P...

The circle represents the universe and the infinite nature of energy. As a basic symbol of protection, it is a symbol of inclusion and wholeness. P...

The Japanese name for owl, Fukuro, usually is written with one single character, but can also be written with the combination of the character for ...

A waterfall depicted by Hokusai. The drops of water which make up a waterfall are renewed each second, yet persist as an entity. It reminds us to b...

The blooming of cherry blossoms, is a symbol of purity. Their spectacular bloom is enjoyed by many, but for a short period of time every year, remi...

From the iconic series, Pictures of Beautiful Women , depicted here is a young girl blowing on a toy glass pipe which was a novelty and highly fash...