Nippori Keinai Ebisu-Daikoku 1783 - 1803

Torii Kiyonaga created this woodblock print called "Nippori Keinai Ebisu-Daikoku" sometime in the late 18th century, a period when the urban culture of Edo, now Tokyo, was flourishing. Here we see a snapshot of leisure, with elegant women enjoying tea, likely within the grounds of a shrine dedicated to Ebisu and Daikoku, deities of good fortune. This print isn't just a pretty picture. It's a window into the social life of the time, reflecting the rising merchant class and their pursuit of pleasure and prosperity. The detailed depiction of clothing and hairstyles provides insights into the fashion and social status of women in Edo society. To fully understand this artwork, we need to delve into the history of woodblock printing in Japan, its role in disseminating culture, and the socio-economic context of the Edo period. It is through historical archives and cultural studies that we can appreciate this print as more than just an image, but as a cultural artifact.