True Picture of the French (Shosha Furansujin) 1861

This woodblock print, "True Picture of the French" (Shosha Furansujin) by Utagawa Yoshikazu, depicts a caricature of Western fashion in the 1860s. The image portrays a European couple, the man in a Western suit and the woman wearing a Western-inspired dress and elaborate hair style. The print is a humorous critique of the influence of Western culture on Japan during a period of rapid modernization. The print uses exaggerated features and postures to create a satirical view of foreign influence. It was created during the Edo period, a time when Japan was largely isolated from the West, and as such provides a fascinating glimpse into the country's early interactions with Western culture.