Lady Komachi 19th century

This woodblock print titled Lady Komachi was made by Yashima Gakutei in Japan during the first half of the 19th century. It depicts a figure from Japanese poetry and theatre, and it gives us insight into the cultural values of the Edo period. The print’s visual codes reference classical Japanese literature and performance. Komachi was a famous poet, and Gakutei’s image draws on her established iconography, seen in the costume and accoutrements associated with her character in Noh theatre. By referencing traditional arts, the artwork reinforces the importance of cultural heritage and the values of the aristocratic classes within the rapidly changing social environment of Japan at this time. The print was privately commissioned, perhaps for an anthology of poems. Understanding the social context of its production helps us appreciate the complex interplay between artistic traditions, social hierarchies, and the world of commercial art in 19th-century Japan. To research this further, you could consult catalogues of woodblock prints from the Edo period, and histories of Japanese theatre and poetry.