Old Japan Images and text courtesy of Terry Bennett (Old Japan - www.old-japan.co.uk - EB-30019)
Portrait of an oiran [high class courtesan] with her traditional assistants Shinzo and Kamuro, ca. 1885, vintage albumen print in good condition, 295 x 209mm, on original light blue slightly soiled studio mount, 342 x 240mm, imprinted: R. Narui Yasaka Temple Kyoto, Japan. Narui Raisuke (1858-1902) operated a portrait studio in Kyoto from 1879. Prior to that, he had studied at his father's studio at Osaka. Narui's reputation grew and his studio became known as the 'studio of choice' for top geisha, maiko, Kabuki actors and oiran.
