Hana no egao

(花の笑かほ, The Flower’s Smile)

c. 1840

Each page of this three-volume set is approximately 8 3/4 by 6 1/3 inches or 22 by 16 cm, a size known as hanshi-bon.

Bamboo twig and bird

Japanese lantern (andon) and a closed umbrella

Young brothel visitor is entertaining himself with two young courtesans

Man and pregnant woman in front of floral screen

Tattooed man making love

The screen portrays Hotei, a god of good fortune, who seems to be observing the goings on.

An oiran (high-class courtesan), recognizable by her striking hair-pins and her blackened teeth (ohaguro), is successfully seducing her client.

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