Furansujin (Frenchman) 19th century

Utagawa Yoshikazu created this woodblock print, titled "Furansujin (Frenchman)," sometime between 1845 and 1870. Yoshikazu made this print during a period of significant change, as Japan opened its doors to the West after a long period of isolation. Yoshikazu's print depicts a European man offering a rose to a woman holding a child. The presence of a Western ship in the background emphasizes the foreign setting. But what does it mean to portray these figures? The woman's gaze is averted, and she appears demure, perhaps reflecting idealized images of women at the time. "Furansujin (Frenchman)" reflects Japan's complex relationship with the West during this era, marked by curiosity, admiration, and, perhaps, a touch of skepticism. The print opens a window onto questions of cultural exchange, gendered expectations, and the way national identities are shaped through encounters with others. It invites us to reflect on how we perceive those who are different from us and how those perceptions shape our own identities.