Sudden Shower at Mimeguri Shrine c. 1787

Torii Kiyonaga created this woodblock print titled "Sudden Shower at Mimeguri Shrine." Kiyonaga emerged during the late 18th century, a time of economic growth and cultural flourishing in Japan's Edo period. In this print, Kiyonaga illustrates a group caught in an unexpected downpour near a Shinto shrine. What strikes me is Kiyonaga's modern approach to portraying women. Departing from conventional portrayals, he depicts them as tall, physically robust, and self-assured. Their clothing indicates class distinctions and social roles of the time. One woman assists a man shielding his head, revealing the gendered expectations that shaped their lives. Kiyonaga’s prints mirrored the evolving societal norms, portraying women as active participants in the urban landscape. It makes you wonder about the untold stories and quiet acts of rebellion embedded in their everyday lives.