The Courtesan Somenosuke of the Matsubaya House, from the series Contest of Beauties in the Pleasure Quarters

This is an image of Somenosuke, one of the highest-ranking oiran, or courtesans, of the Yoshiwara. Her rank is indicated by the combs and many hairpins she wears. Look carefully at the shimmering grey background. Glue and colorant were mixed and printed on the background, which was then sprinkled with finely ground mica in a technique called kirazuri 雲母摺 (mica printing). The mica, unfortunately, easily wore off over time. It would have been a dramatic effect when the print was first published. In fact, the technique was later banned by the authorities as “too luxurious” and bad for public morality.