Dimensions 14 3/16 × 18 7/16 in. (36.1 × 46.8 cm) (image, vertical ōban diptych)
Kobayashi Kiyochika created this image of courtesans, titled Beauties of Kan'ei and Shōhō Era, as a woodblock print. Kiyochika worked during a time when Japan was rapidly modernizing. He's known for blending traditional ukiyo-e techniques with elements of Western art. Here we see a woman, possibly a high-ranking courtesan, set against a backdrop that hints at both intimacy and social performance. The elaborate hairstyle, the meticulously designed kimono, and the fan all speak to a carefully constructed identity, designed to project status, beauty, and cultural refinement. Kiyochika invites us to consider the role of women in shaping cultural values during this era. These images often blur the line between personal expression and societal expectation. With Japan's shift towards modernity, the courtesan became an emblem of both traditional values and the evolving social landscape. Kiyochika captures a nuanced perspective on the lives of those navigating the currents of their time.
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As Japan rapidly modernized during the Meiji period (1868-1912), people became nostalgic for the past. Catering to this interest, artists created prints that featured subjects from the country's feudal times. In 1896, Kiyochika designed a series featuring women from different eras within the Edo period (1603-1868). For this print, he depicted a beauty with a large chignon and boldly patterned kimono-styles prevalent in the Kan'ei (1624-44) and Shøhø (1644-48) eras. Kiyochika even rendered the details of her physiognomy in a manner reminiscent of those by the 18th century artists. The silhouettes of boats in the distance suggest that this beauty, too, is in a boat and enjoying an evening river cruise, a favorite summer pastime in the Edo period.
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