Print 1800 - 1865

Utagawa Kunisada created this woodblock print in nineteenth-century Japan. The image depicts a snowy scene, a snapshot of everyday life in the city of Edo, modern-day Tokyo. The print offers a glimpse into the social hierarchy of the time. On the upper register, three women of status are escorted through the snow, likely heading for the Yoshiwara pleasure district. Below, commoners are seated in a covered boat. Note the attention to detail in the clothing and hairstyles which speak to their class. Kunisada was a leading printmaker in Japan, his work promoted by publishers who were keen to capitalize on the popularity of Kabuki theatre and the pleasure districts. The study of such images requires a keen eye for the socio-political and economic forces at play in their production and reception. We must also consider the art institutions that supported them. By situating this print within its social and institutional context, we gain a deeper understanding of its meaning and significance.