Women Representing the 108 Heroes of the Suikoden, "Saishin" 

Editor: This is Utagawa Kuniyoshi’s "Women Representing the 108 Heroes of the Suikoden, 'Saishin.'" I’m struck by the woman’s gaze, which seems to avoid direct engagement. What can you tell me about it? Curator: The portrayal of women in Kuniyoshi's series is fascinating. While seemingly celebrating the Suikoden heroes, the series subtly questions the gendered expectations of the time. How might the woman's averted gaze challenge the viewer's expectations of female heroism? Editor: That's interesting. So, it's not just a portrait, but a commentary on the role of women? Curator: Precisely. Consider also how the natural setting interacts with the figure. Does it empower her, or further confine her to specific social constructs? Editor: I see. I hadn’t considered the setting as a metaphor. Curator: Exploring these tensions helps us understand how Kuniyoshi used art to engage with socio-political themes, using the past to critique the present. Editor: Thanks, I'll definitely look at it with a new perspective now.