Album of Prints by Kikugawa Eizan, Utagawa Kunisada, and Utagawa Kunimaru 1800 - 1868

This album of prints was created in Japan by Kikugawa Eizan, Utagawa Kunisada, and Utagawa Kunimaru and is now housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The prints invite us to consider the floating world of the Edo period, particularly the lives and representations of women. In these images, we see courtesans, their elaborate hairstyles and garments signaling their profession and status within the pleasure districts. These prints reflect the complex negotiation of identity, where women were both admired and confined by societal expectations. Consider the gaze of the women depicted—often demure, embodying a carefully constructed image of femininity. These prints offer a glimpse into a world of beauty and artifice, revealing the intricate dynamics of gender, class, and desire that shaped Japanese society at the time. As you view these images, reflect on the emotions they evoke and the stories they tell of the individuals who navigated this vibrant yet restrictive world.