Nihon Embankment, Yoshiwara, from the series One Hundred Famous Views of Edo

As geese fly across the sky at dusk, patrons proceed along the Nihon Embankment, a levee that was the main route to Yoshiwara, Edo’s pleasure district. Some have rented palanquins, while others walk, wearing hoods to protect their anonymity. Along either side of the embankment are teahouses, each representing a brothel to which potential customers would be introduced; the brothels themselves are shown only in outline in the distance. At the teahouses, patrons could stop for a rest or entertainment before entering the Yoshiwara itself. At the end of the embankment, a famous willow tree, known as the “Looking-Back-Willow,” marks the place where patrons could take a last regretful glance at the Yoshiwara as they return home the next morning. (“Moon,” curated by Ellen Avril and presented at the Johnson Museum August 25, 2018-January 13, 2019)