Shop sign for the Yoshiwara district?

[Guest Simon R]

I very recently picked up this striking hand painted and hand embroidered hanging tapestry for a mere ¥1,500. 
The size is quite impressive (76.5cm×108cm) and, upon researching it, I found out that it was a rendition of an 1820 ukiyoe by Utamaro Kitagawa (also shown).

 

As it appears to be a  shop sign of some sort and, as the lady's licking of what I presume is a love letter looks a tad erotic, I wondered whether it may have once hung outside an establishment in the Yoshiwara before MacArthur shut it down?

 

Just wishful thinking.

 

[Bugyotsuji]

Re: wishful thinking.

 

Nice piece of embroidery on a ukiyoé theme of Bijin-ga by Utamaro! Lovely work.