A procession of women holding shimadai decorations c. 1789 - 1801

Utagawa Toyokuni I created this woodblock print triptych, "A procession of women holding shimadai decorations," sometime between the late 18th and early 19th centuries. The image provides us a window into the Edo period of Japan. At first glance, we see a formal procession, likely within the context of the imperial court or a high-ranking samurai family. The women, adorned in elaborate kimonos, carry shimadai, stands with decorations that symbolize good fortune and longevity. Toyokuni’s emphasis on the intricate patterns of the kimonos and the delicate features of the women reflects the cultural premium placed on aesthetics and refinement. Yet it’s important to acknowledge the limited roles afforded to women of this era. While this print celebrates their grace and poise, it also subtly reinforces the period's gendered expectations of women in public life. Here we see them confined to certain roles and spaces, their identities often defined by beauty and service. The print is a moment suspended in time, inviting us to reflect on the complex interplay of beauty, tradition, and gender in Japanese history.