Galerie Christian Collin

(Active circa 1850)

The Gost of the "country of the North" (Hokkoku no obake)

Woodblock print

Circa 1860

Impression on Japan paper.

The expression "the North Country" refers to Yoshiwara, the pleasure district in Edo. The calligraphic text accompanying the print says that this oiran (high-ranking courtesan) emerges from the swampy waters at nightfall to frighten passing men.

Reference: Brigitte Koyama-Richard, Jeux d'estampes, images étranges et amusantes du Japon, Nouvelles Editions Scala, Paris, 2015, p. 34 

Sheet: ôban (359 x 238 mm)

Condition: fixed on a thin cardboard, light-staining, folds.