Woman Exhaling Smoke from a Pipe (Kiseru no kemuri o fuku onna), from the series Ten Classes of Women's Physiognomy (Fujō ninsō juppon) c. 1792 - 1793

Curator: This ukiyo-e print by Kitagawa Utamaro is titled "Woman Exhaling Smoke from a Pipe," and it's from a series called "Ten Classes of Women's Physiognomy," dating to the late Edo period. Editor: There's an immediate sense of melancholy about her, wouldn't you agree? The delicate lines, the slightly unfocused gaze...it evokes a feeling of quiet contemplation, perhaps even a hint of societal constraint. Curator: These prints were often commodities within a bustling entertainment district, so it's interesting to consider how Utamaro is both participating in and perhaps subtly commenting on the representation of women in Edo society. Editor: Precisely! It speaks to the complex interplay of pleasure and restriction, doesn’t it? Her relaxed pose is at odds with the rigid social expectations placed upon women. The smoke, a symbol of transient pleasure, becomes a quiet act of defiance. Curator: Her clothing also gives insight into the fashions, fabrics, and styles that women of various classes would wear. Utamaro was incredibly skilled at capturing fleeting beauty in his prints. Editor: Yes, and by focusing on the everyday act of smoking, Utamaro elevates the mundane to something significant. We see a woman, not just an object. It really invites us to look beyond the surface. Curator: It does give one a different perspective on these art forms. Editor: Indeed. Thanks for bringing this to our attention.