Trimming Her Nails c. 1755

Torii Kiyohiro created this woodblock print, "Trimming Her Nails," during the mid-18th century, in a time when Japanese society was highly stratified, and the floating world of the "ukiyo" prints offered a space for imagining different social and personal realities. Here, we see a woman in a state of undress, seated on what appears to be a low, tiled structure, carefully attending to her nails. Her exposed skin and relaxed posture challenge the strict social norms of modesty for women, offering a glimpse into a private moment. The intimate act of grooming is set against the backdrop of a willow tree, a symbol often associated with femininity and grace, yet its presence here complicates the traditional representation of women. Kiyohiro invites us to consider the tension between the idealized image of women in art and the everyday realities of their lives. Through this image, we might reflect on the ways gender, class, and personal identity intersect in the creation and reception of art.