Three women making music c. 1794

This woodblock print by Torii Kiyonaga, titled "Three Women Making Music," depicts three elegantly dressed women performing traditional Japanese music. The woman on the left plays a shamisen, a three-stringed instrument, while the woman in the center plays a koto, a long, zither-like instrument with 13 strings. The woman on the right listens intently to the music. The scene, likely set in a private home, emphasizes the beauty and refinement of Japanese culture during the Edo period (1603–1868). This print, a fine example of ukiyo-e art, exemplifies Kiyonaga’s ability to capture the grace and elegance of his subjects and the nuanced details of their surroundings.