The Waitress Oyoshi of the Yamato Tea Shop

Suzuki Harunobu, artist

circa 1725–1770

The Waitress Oyoshi of the Yamato Tea Shop, late 1760s, Edo period (1600–1868)

Where object was made: Japan

Material/technique: color woodcut

Dimensions:
Image Dimensions Height/Width (Height x Width): 274 x 202 mm
Image Dimensions Height/Width (Height x Width): 10 13/16 x 7 15/16 in
Sheet/Paper Dimensions (Height x Width): 286 x 213 mm
Sheet/Paper Dimensions (Height x Width): 11 1/4 x 8 3/8 in
Mat Dimensions (Height x Width): 19 x 14 in

Credit line: William Bridges Thayer Memorial

Accession number: 1928.7579

Not on display

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Label texts

Archive Label 2003 (version 1):
Harunobu is associated with the rapid development of full-color prints called nishiki-e (brocade pictures). Not only did Harunobu make full use of the newly developed technique of printing in multiple colors, he also frequently employed the technique of embossing. Raised relief of a paulownia pattern can be seen on the white portion of the wallpaper on the left side of this print.

Harunobu is renowned for his portrayal of winsome young women in elegantly alluring poses. Although Harunobu’s subject matter is in the tradition of bijin ga (pictures of beautiful women), he frequently depicted the young girls working in Edo (Tokyo) shops, rather than the more typical theme of courtesans. Here, a young waitress is about to ladle hot water to make tea for her customers. The product of this shop, Japanese tea (yamatocha) is written on the lantern in the upper left portion of the print. This print is quite rare. Other versions have the name of the tea shop, “Kagiya,” written on the lantern.

Archive Label 2003 (version 2):
Harunobu is associated with the rapid development of full-color prints called nishiki-e (brocade pictures). In addition, he is renowned for his portrayal of winsome young women in elegantly alluring poses. Often Harunobu depicted the beauties working in Edo (Tokyo) shops, rather than the more typical subject matter of courtesans. Here a young waitress is about to ladle out the hot water to make tea for her customers. The product of this shop, Japanese tea (Yamato-cha), is written on the lantern in the upper left portion of the print. This print is quite rare. Other versions have the name of the tea shop, “Kagiya,” written on the lantern.