Voorbereidingen voor het poppenfeest 1785 - 1800

Katsukawa Shunchō created this woodblock print, "Voorbereidingen voor het poppenfeest," depicting a group of women preparing for a doll festival, at a time when the roles and representations of women in Japanese society were undergoing shifts amid cultural and political changes. The image captures a quiet, intimate scene of domesticity. Four women are shown in what appears to be a private residence, their attention focused on the preparations for the festival. The woman in the foreground kneels, while the others stand, their interactions suggesting a shared activity and communal bond. Consider the doll festival, or Hinamatsuri, itself; it is a celebration deeply entwined with gender roles and expectations. Shunchō’s work delicately explores these themes by capturing the everyday lives and social interactions of women, providing a window into their world during this era. The artwork invites us to reflect on the lives of these women, their roles within the domestic sphere, and the cultural traditions that shaped their identities. It is a poignant reminder of the intimate connections and shared experiences that define women's lives across different eras and cultures.