This is a large woodblock colour prnt of “Chojiya Uchi Chozan” (Or the Courtesan Chozan of Chojiya.) from 1783 by Kikugawa Eizan (1787-1867) possibly one of the best of the Japanese artists from the Edo-machi Nichome period. It is signed Kikugawa Eizan hitsu, with publisher's closed box seal I (Sanoya Kihei of Kikakudo), ca. 1806-08 and depicts a half-length portrait of a courtesan bundled up in multiple layers of robes whilst arranging a flower for the tea-room. Her hair is adorned with an array of pins and combs, and a gathering a floral fabric behind the high crest of the coiffure. In the background is her name, Chozan, and in the upper left the address and name of her house, Edomachi nichome, Chojiya. Images of courtesans were more about the idea of beauty and the suggestion of an other-worldly fantasy than an actual depiction of a professional courtesan, and their names were associated with specific brothels which were given to newcomers in a manner similar to kabuki names, thus obscuring their identities. A comparison with another print of Chozan of the Chojiya by Kitagawa Utamaro (1753-1806) suggests a likeness with this portrait by Eizan. Although Utamaro's portrait is not dated, it was produced late in his career, around circa. 1805-06, a few years earlier than this Eizan portrait .