- 1804–06
- Signature: Utamaro hitsu 歌麿筆
- Marks: publisher’s seal
- Publisher: Tsuruya Kinsuke 鶴屋金助 (active c 1795–1803)
- Format: vertical large-size print (ôban tate-e), part of a triptych
- Medium: multicolor woodblock print (nishiki-e); ink and colors on paper
The three prostitutes from Yoshiwara display the tall yet supple appearance that is characteristic for many of Utamaro’s female figures. His motif: the first “Rat Day” of the year (in accordance with the Chinese calendar). It was a day for gathering young pine trees. The seedlings of this tree can withstand freezing weather, and such resilience is desirable, also for the human body.
Japanese aristocratic women had been observing this ritual since the late 8th century. Women of the pleasure quarter may be adding another layer of meaning to it – with a play on the word “Rat.” The verb “sleep” in Japanese is ne(ru). “Rat” is pronounced likewise – as ne. Observing a practice on the day of the Rat becomes suggestive of much going-to-bed throughout the year.
