Viewing Maple Leaves (Momijigari), from the series "Dance Customs of Captivating Figures (Adesugata odori fuzoku)" c. 1772 - 1780

This woodblock print, titled "Viewing Maple Leaves (Momijigari)", was created by Kitao Shigemasa, an artist working in Japan during the Edo period. Shigemasa produced this print as part of a series called "Dance Customs of Captivating Figures". During the Edo period, urban centers like Edo, now Tokyo, saw the rise of a vibrant merchant class and with it, a rich artistic and cultural scene. The series this print belongs to reflects this burgeoning interest in the lives and customs of the city’s captivating figures, like geishas and courtesans, who shaped trends in fashion, beauty, and entertainment. The woman depicted is likely a high ranking courtesan participating in the popular autumn activity of Momijigari, or viewing the changing maple leaves. The print delicately balances a traditional subject with emerging cultural trends in Japan. It provides us with a glimpse into the ephemeral beauty of performance, and the quiet contemplation of nature’s beauty.