Number Four: The Gate Decorations of Togaeri from the Matsubaya

Togaeri, a high-ranking courtesan from the Matsubaya house, walking with two maids (kamuro) along the New Year decorations in Nakanochô, the main street of the Yoshiwara, the pleasure quarter of Edo (current Tokyo). The 'gate decorations' refer to the traditional New Year decorations, visible in the background: bamboo and pine branches with fern leaves. With two poems. This is the fourth sheet of a five-panel print, where high-ranking courtesans (oiran) from the different houses of the Yoshiwara are depicted.