Three types of beauties in Edo, set of three

In this scroll is a courtesan in a magnificent costume with her heavy obi (sash) tied in front, a brightly patterned overkimono (uchikake), and an elaborate hairdo. She is attended by two young girls (kamuro) in twin costumes. This scroll is one of three scrolls represent three types of women-an elite courtesan, a geisha, and a maiden of a wealthy family-who had developed distinctly different roles by the second half of the eighteenth century.