Print 1786 - 1854

This print was made by Utagawa Kunisada, a leading designer of ukiyo-e woodblock prints in 19th century Japan. Kunisada was a key figure in the artistic world of Edo-period Japan, a time of peace and economic growth that saw a flourishing of urban culture. Prints like this one were made and consumed by a wide audience, effectively democratizing art. Kunisada here presents us with a scene full of cultural references, blending the real and the theatrical. The male figure's swords suggest a samurai, while the woman's elaborate kimono and coiffure indicate her high social status. The setting, with its moonlit landscape and carefully arranged interior, speaks to a cultivated aesthetic sensibility. As historians, we might look to theater records, fashion trends, and even popular literature of the time to better understand this image. Ukiyo-e prints offer us a window into the social life and cultural values of a vibrant historical moment.