Parody of the Yugao Chapter of the Tale of Genji c. 1795 - 1797

Editor: So, this color woodblock print is called "Parody of the Yugao Chapter of the Tale of Genji," created around 1795-1797 by Chōkōsai Eishō. The gathering of women in such elaborate robes has this almost performative quality. How do you interpret this work, considering its title implies parody? Curator: The keyword here is, indeed, parody. Thinking about this image through the lens of social commentary, it allows us to investigate gender roles and class dynamics within the ukiyo-e tradition. Eishō uses parody to create space for critique. What do you notice about the women's expressions? Editor: They seem a little… reserved? Maybe even bored? Not quite the emotional intensity I’d expect if this were a serious depiction of courtly life. Curator: Precisely. Now, consider the historical context. Ukiyo-e prints often depicted courtesans and actors, blurring the lines between the elite and the popular classes. How might parody function within that context? Could it challenge rigid social structures? Editor: I guess by presenting a skewed or humorous version of those structures. By poking fun, Eishō allows us to question the roles women are expected to play and maybe see the artifice in their presentation. Curator: Exactly! And, who is the intended audience for that kind of message? The elite, the merchant class, or both? Exploring that tension gives this work even deeper resonance. Perhaps this image offers a subtle commentary on the confined roles afforded to women within these social structures. Editor: That makes a lot of sense. I hadn't considered how the print itself, as a medium accessible to different social classes, might influence the meaning. Now I'm seeing so many layers of critique within what I initially perceived as just an illustration! Curator: Absolutely, viewing the print through its historical and social conditions encourages these deeper reflections and awareness of the social commentary present within what seems like a harmless image.