Bijin-ga (Female Beauties) - Ukiyo-e "Pictures of the Floating World"-

Ukiyo-e is a genre of Japanese art which flourished from the 17th through 19th centuries. Its artists produced woodblock prints and paintings of such subjects as female beauties; kabuki actors and sumo wrestlers; scenes from history and folk tales; travel scenes and landscapes; flora and fauna; and erotica. The term ukiyo-e (浮世絵 IPA: [u.ki.jo.e]) translates as "picture[s] of the floating world".

The Floating World culture developed in Yoshiwara, the licensed red-light district of Edo (modern Tokyo), which was the site of many brothels, chashitsu, and kabuki theaters frequented by Japan's growing middle class. ... The ukiyo culture also arose in other cities such as Osaka and Kyoto.

Ukiyo-e  has 6 sub genres, shunga is the primary genre of this site however lets not forget this fantastic genre of  "female beauties".   

Utamaro's Beautiful Women 

Utagawa Kuniyasu (歌川 国安, 1794–1832) 

Kuniyasa was a Japanese artist best known for his prints in the ukiyo-e style as a member of the Utagawa school.

 

Kikukawa Eizan (菊川 英山, 1787 – July 17, 1867)

Read the Ukiyo-e wiki page HERE