Jigoku tayu (地獄太夫, the Hell Courtesan)
Collection:CSM Museum & Study Collection
Date: 1854
Maker: Utagawa Kuniyoshi (歌川国芳)
Engraver: Hori-Mino (彫巳の)
Medium: O-ban Nishiki-e (大判錦絵, large-format coloured print)
Object number: O.11.82
DescriptionJigoku Tayu (地獄太夫, the Hell Courtesan) is an actual historical figure from the Muromachi period. She was in despair after being sold to a prostitute because of her beauty, and she attributed her misfortune to her poor behaviour in her former life, so she called herself Jigokutayu (A courtesan from Hell).
