Print 1810 - 1830

This print was made by Yashima Gakutei in Japan, but we're unsure when. The artwork is thought to be from the Edo period when the popularity of geishas started to rise. This print depicts a seated woman, possibly a geisha, gazing at a painting of a pagoda. The poem inscribed suggests an association between the woman and the pagoda, possibly a reference to Buddhist temples which were known as places for romantic encounters in Edo society. The print uses symbolic visual codes, such as the pagoda and the woman's attire, that would have been easily recognized by viewers at the time. The Edo period was known for its rigid social hierarchy and isolationist policies. Art in this period often reflects a tension between tradition and innovation, as well as the rise of a merchant class that challenged the existing social order. Studying the clothing, the motifs of the scroll, and other social factors helps us to engage with this artwork more deeply.