The Twelfth Month (Goku getsu), from the series "Fashionable Twelve Months (Furyu junikagetsu)" c. 1793

"The Twelfth Month (Goku getsu)" is a woodblock print by Utagawa Toyokuni I, from his series "Fashionable Twelve Months (Furyu junikagetsu)". The print depicts a woman, possibly a courtesan, admiring a length of beautiful fabric with a swirling, floral pattern. The detailed depiction of the fabric highlights the importance of textiles in Japanese culture, while the woman's graceful pose and elegant attire showcase the fashion trends of the Edo period. This print is a fine example of ukiyo-e, a genre of Japanese woodblock printing that often depicted scenes from everyday life, popular entertainment, and beautiful women.