The Widow of Hinodeya

Print 10-3, Kiseido Publishing; Tokyo Japan

Oban print by Utamaro, published by Omiya Gonkuro ca. 1796.

The article is by William Pinckard

This print is titled Komei Bijin Rokkasen (Six Famous Beauties). The woman here was one of the most famous beauties in Edo. She is depicted just stepping out of the bath and with her eyebrows shaved. Although her name is not given, it can be deduced from the cartouche in the upper left. The rising sun there identifies the shop, Hinodeya (Rising-Sun Shop), owned by her deceased husband, and the go board with the clipping of hair (ke in Japanese) beneath it imply goke, meaning widow.