A Young Warrior on Horseback Looking at Two Girls 1765 - 1784

Haruhiro created this woodblock print, "A Young Warrior on Horseback Looking at Two Girls," in Japan during the late 18th century. It reflects the cultural emphasis on the warrior class and the representation of women in ukiyo-e prints. The print captures a moment of intersection between social classes and genders. A young man, dressed in armor and riding a horse, looks up towards two women behind a screen. What are they thinking? During this period, women were often depicted in domestic settings, and prints like these offer a glimpse into their lives and interactions. Here, the warrior figure, likely a member of the samurai class, is portrayed in a moment of pause, almost as if he is being observed, rather than doing the observing. The emotional nuance of the warrior glancing up at the figures generates a dynamic of seeing and being seen. This print both upholds and complicates traditional gender roles and class structures of the time, while prompting reflection on the complexities of identity and social interactions.