During the Edo period (1603 - 1868); the Japanese clock was divided into twelve units of time; or 鈥榟ours'; with each one named after one of the zodiacal symbols of the lunar calendar; and with the day being divided up into six daytime hours and six night-time hours.

This woodblock print is taken from Kitagawa Utamaro's 1794-1795 ukiyo-e series 'Twelve Hours of the Green Rooms'; sometimes styled 'Twelve Hours of the Yoshiwara'; featuring everyday events in the lives of courtesans in Edo's Yoshiwara pleasure district.

It is the Hour of the Sheep; around 2 o'clock in the afternoon. It is early and still quiet in Yoshiwara; customers are few and far between. At the extreme left of the composition; we can see a book and divination sticks placed on a square fabric. This detail suggests the presence of a soothsayer about to offer his predictions to the courtesan. During this consultation an apprentice amuses herself by reading the lines on the palm of the young assistant. Pictures From History