Hour of the Snake

'Hour of the Snake' is a captivating ukiyo-e print by Utamaro, part of the Seirō Jūnitoki Tsuzuki series created around 1794. This series artistically depicts courtesans in the Yoshiwara pleasure district during each hour of the traditional twelve-hour Japanese time system. The scenes exemplify genre painting, emphasizing daily life and entertainment within the pleasure quarters. Utamaro’s masterful attention to detail and expressive portrayal of courtesans encapsulate the elegance and transient beauty characteristic of ukiyo-e art.