Picture Book of Essays in Idleness 1740

This is a page from Nishikawa Sukenobu’s ‘Picture Book of Essays in Idleness’, created in Japan sometime between 1671 and 1750. Woodblock printing allowed for the wider distribution of art and literature, influencing how people saw themselves and their society. Here we see a gathering of figures distinguished by their attire and positioning. Those within the building have a certain status, looking down at the crowd outside, creating a visual hierarchy. The detailed rendering of their clothing and hairstyles signifies social standing, reflecting the rigid class structure of the Edo period. Sukenobu's work often depicted scenes of daily life and celebrated the beauty of ordinary people. Yet, within these images, there is an implicit narrative about power, access, and social visibility. How do such images reinforce or challenge the existing social order? What does it mean to observe, to be observed, and to be excluded from certain spaces? These are some of the questions that come to mind when looking at this print.