Views of Reception Rooms in Japan - Entertainments on the Day of the Rat in the Modern Style (Uki-e wakoku keiseki ozashiki imayo ne no hi no asobi no zu) c. 1771 - 1776

Utagawa Toyoharu, born in 1735, created this woodblock print titled "Views of Reception Rooms in Japan - Entertainments on the Day of the Rat in the Modern Style." As Japan opened its doors to the West, Toyoharu pioneered a style that merged traditional Japanese techniques with Western perspective, reflecting a society in transition. The print depicts a gathering of women in what appears to be an upper-class reception room, enjoying "Entertainments on the Day of the Rat." This was a traditional holiday when women would leave their homes for good luck. It’s a moment of female solidarity and leisure. However, Toyoharu's distinctive use of linear perspective creates a sense of depth that pulls viewers into this intimate scene. The women are arranged in a way that both invites our gaze and maintains their privacy. The lanterns and screens, while decorative, also serve to frame and mediate our view. In essence, this print captures a fleeting moment of cultural exchange and social ritual. It reminds us of the ever-evolving ways in which traditions are adapted and reinterpreted in response to changing times.