Hour of the Cockerel: 17:00 - 19:00

One design from Utamaro's famous series 'Twelve Hours in the Yoshiwara' - actually 24 hours, as the day is here broken into 12 2-hour groups.

This one represents the Hour of the Cockerel, which equates roughly to what we would call 6:00 pm. The brothel has just opened, and a courtesan prepares to leave for an appointment while her attendant hurriedly assembles a lantern to guide her with. The lantern is decorated with the crest of the famous Ogiya brothel (reference: British Museum).

The series makes extensive use of tiny flakes of gold leaf scattered around the background. This version is from the Adachi Company, probably from the 70s to early 80s.