Lady Playing Shamisen, with Her Lover and Attendant Nearby 1671 - 1751

Nishikawa Sukenobu created this print, "Lady Playing Shamisen, with Her Lover and Attendant Nearby," using ink on paper. The composition is structured around a series of horizontal and diagonal lines that define the architectural space, creating a sense of depth and intimacy. Notice how the black ink outlines every form, giving a graphic quality to the scene, with patterns on the kimonos and the floral wallpaper adding complexity. The figures are arranged to suggest a narrative, yet their expressions remain somewhat ambiguous, inviting the viewer to interpret their relationships and emotions. Sukenobu employs a semiotic system where clothing, posture, and setting convey cultural codes about status and relationships. The shamisen, for instance, signifies entertainment and refinement, while the careful arrangement of tea utensils suggests ritual and hospitality. The formal constraints of the print medium—the stark contrast of black and white, the linear precision—underscore the constructed nature of the scene. This artwork then, functions as a visual text, open to multiple readings and interpretations, challenging fixed notions of representation.