Drama and Desire: Japanese Paintings from the Floating World 1690–1850

Shakkyo, the Lion Dance, around 1787–1788, by Katsukawa Shunsho (Japanese, 1726–1792). Hanging scroll; ink, color, and gold on silk. William Sturgis Bigelow Collection.

Zhong Kui, the Demon Queller, about 1805, by Katsushika Hokusai (Japanese, 1760–1849). Painted banner; color with ink on cotton. William Sturgis Bigelow Collection.

Woman Looking at Herself in a Mirror, about 1805, by Katsushika Hokusai (Japanese, 1760–1849). Hanging scroll; ink, color, and gold on silk. William Sturgis Bigelow Collection.

Three Women Playing Musical Instruments, about Bunsei (1818--–1830) to Tenpo (1830–1844) era, by Katsushika Oi (Japanese, active about 1818–after 1854). Hanging scroll; ink and color on silk. William Sturgis Bigelow Collection.

Young Woman Playing the Shamisen, about Bunka (1804–1806), by Kitagawa Utamaro I (Japanese, 1753–1806). Hanging scroll; ink, color, and gold on silk. Fenollosa-Weld Collection.

Pleasure Outing at Mukojima to View Cherry Blossoms, late Tenmei (1781–1789) to early Kansei eras (1789–1801), by Utagawa Toyoharu (Japanese, 1735–1814). Hanging scroll; ink, color, gold, and mica on silk. Fenollosa-Weld Collection.

Theater Signboard Depicting Scenes from the Play “Nishikigi Sakae Komochi,” 1758, attributed to Torii School. Panel; ink, color, and gold on paper. William Sturgis Bigelow Collection.

Parody of ‘The Three Vinegar Tasters,’ about 1821, by Chobunsai Eishi (Japanese, 1756–1829). Hanging scroll; ink, color, and gold on silk. William Sturgis Bigelow Collection.

Two Women beneath a Willow Tree, about Tenmei 4 (1785), by Torii Kiyonaga (Japanese, 1752–1815). Hanging scroll; ink, color, and gold on silk. William Sturgis Bigelow Collection.

Scenes from the Nakamura Kabuki Theater, Jokyo (1684–1688) to Genroku (1688–1704) era, attributed to Hishikawa Moronobu (Japanese, died 1694). One of a pair of six-panel folding screens; ink and color on gold-leafed paper. Gift of Oliver W. Peabody.

Scenes from the Yoshiwara Pleasure Quarter, Jokyo (1684–1688) to Genroku (1688–1704) era, attributed to Hishikawa Moronobu (Japanese, died 1694). One of a pair of six-panel folding screens; ink and color on gold-leafed paper. Gift of Oliver W. Peabody.