Chobunsai Eishi’s (1756-1829) father was a samurai official in Edo.  Through this connection he was able to study painting under Kano-school teachers and served as a painter to the shogun for several years, receiving money from them annually.  His name, given to him by the shogun, means “he glorifies”.  Although he was formally trained, he had an interest in plebian ukiyo-e subjects, and his most famous prints are those of women and erotica.  In the middle of his life he started leaning toward a style of elongation, which was highly critiqued.  The prints from this period are more frequently of Yoshiwara courtesans.  When the print featuring figures became lese popular, he stopped becoming a print maker and started creating scrolls and alcove paintings for wealthy collectors.  Like his prints, these included images of courtesans and the city life and were better received than his prints.  One painting of his was even taken to Kyoto to be shown to the Imperial family, an unusual honor for ukiyo-e artists.   

This print features the Courtesan Kisegawa of the Matsubaya Brothel from the series: Seiro Bijin Rokkasen ("Six Selected Beauties of the Green Houses").  The series consists of 6 prints which depict courtesans selected from Yoshiwara brothels.  The beauty of each depicted courtesan is compared to a flower.  In this print a poppy is shown in the title cartouche. The courtesan Kisegawa is seated looking at a hand-scroll of the Ise Monogatari (Tales of Ise Province), a classical work from the early tenth century, which is placed in her lap.

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