The Courtesan Senzan Blackening Her Teeth - Suzuki Harunobu
Archival giclée
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Description
A refined woodblock print by Suzuki Harunobu depicting the courtesan Senzan performing the traditional ritual of tooth blackening.
This woodblock print by Suzuki Harunobu depicts the courtesan Senzan engaged in the traditional practice of ohaguro, or tooth blackening. The subject sits in a composed posture, holding a hand mirror while applying the dye. Beside her, the necessary implements, including a small lacquer box and a basin containing the iron-based solution, are arranged on the floor. Harunobu, a master of the nishiki-e (brocade print) technique, employs a delicate line and a restrained colour palette to capture the quiet intimacy of the scene.
The composition is characteristic of Harunobu's work, which often focused on the daily lives of women in the Yoshiwara district. The figure is rendered with the slender, graceful proportions typical of his style during the mid-18th century. The soft green and muted red tones of her kimono provide a subtle contrast against the pale background, while the calligraphic lines of the accompanying poem add a vertical balance to the composition. The print demonstrates the technical precision of the Edo period, where multiple woodblocks were used to achieve the layered colour effects seen in the garments and the accessories.
Tooth blackening was a common cosmetic and social custom among women of status in Japan during this era. By depicting this private moment, Harunobu offers a glimpse into the aesthetic standards and personal rituals of the time. The work avoids excessive ornamentation, allowing the viewer to focus on the subject's concentration and the material details of her surroundings. This print remains a representative example of the refined sensibility that defined Harunobu's contribution to the ukiyo-e tradition, prioritising elegance and atmospheric quality over dramatic action.
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Because every print is made to order, we don't offer change-of-mind returns, refunds or exchanges. If your order arrives faulty, damaged or incorrect, we'll replace it free of charge — just contact us within 48 hours of delivery. See our refunds page for full details.
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Manufacturing
Each print is produced to order using 12-colour giclée printing on FSC-certified archival paper. Designed in Britain and printed at your nearest production hub to reduce waste and speed up delivery.
Care and materials
Specific Features
Every Solis piece is made to order with archival, gallery-quality materials built to last.
- Museum-grade giclée printing for rich, fade-resistant colour
- Archival matte fine-art paper, FSC-certified
- Multiple sizes and framing options available
- Frames in black, natural wood, dark wood or white
- Framed prints arrive ready to hang
Care & Cleaning
To keep your artwork looking its best:
- Dust gently with a soft, dry cloth
- Avoid prolonged direct sunlight
- Never use liquid cleaners on the print or canvas surface
- Keep in a dry, room-temperature space
- Handle prints with clean, dry hands
Materials & Sizing
Museum-grade giclée on FSC-certified archival matte paper, with framed and canvas options.
- Paper sizes: A4, A3, A2, A1, A0 and B2 (50×70 cm)
- Canvas: XS (20×30 cm) to Large (60×90 cm)
- Frames: black, natural wood, dark wood or white
The Courtesan Senzan Blackening Her Teeth - Suzuki Harunobu
Artist Biography
Suzuki Harunobu
Harunobu moved away from the stiff portraits of kabuki actors common in his era. He preferred to depict young women in their daily lives, often using an elevated viewpoint to look into private spaces. His series Zashiki hakkei, or Eight Parlour Views, provides a clear example of his method. He took classical Chinese themes and reimagined them as domestic scenes. A temple bell might become a chiming clock. A distant storm is represented by a woman drying herself after a bath.
Modern collectors value these prints for their quiet atmosphere and precise compositions. Harunobu avoided the aggressive energy of later ukiyo-e artists. He chose instead to focus on slender figures and soft colour harmonies. His work captures specific moments of leisure, such as playing cat's cradle or walking by the shore. These scenes offer a calm window into eighteenth-century Japan. They remain popular because they balance historical detail with a clean, graphic sensibility that suits contemporary interiors.
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