Vrouw met een sake-keteltje 1834

Utagawa Kunisada created this woodblock print, “Woman with a Sake Kettle,” in 19th-century Japan. The image depicts a woman in elaborate dress, holding what appears to be a sake kettle, but this is not a simple genre scene. Utagawa Kunisada was a master of ukiyo-e, or "pictures of the floating world.” He was particularly skilled at capturing the fashionable world of the Kabuki theatre. He was connected to the Utagawa school, one of the most influential schools of ukiyo-e artists. This print, with its theatrical costume and stylised pose, highlights the close relationship between printmaking and the Kabuki theatre. It suggests a commentary on celebrity culture, presenting an idealised and stylised image of feminine beauty. It invites the viewer to participate in the spectacle. To fully appreciate the nuances of Kunisada's work, one would research the cultural context of the Kabuki theatre, explore the history of the Utagawa school, and examine the print market of 19th-century Japan. These histories are essential to understanding the social and institutional forces that shaped both the production and reception of this vibrant artwork.