Uma no Naishi, from the series "Modern Versions of Famous Japanese Beauties (Wakoku bijin Yatsushishu) c. 1781

Torii Kiyonaga produced this color woodblock print, titled "Uma no Naishi," in Japan, part of his series "Modern Versions of Famous Japanese Beauties," and it offers a glimpse into the leisure activities of women during the Edo period. Kiyonaga was a leading artist of the ukiyo-e style, which often depicted scenes of everyday life and popular culture. Here, the women are shown engaged in personal grooming and conversation, surrounded by objects that suggest comfort and refinement. This image, like many ukiyo-e prints, reflects the growing merchant class's interest in depictions of fashionable life and entertainment. The print's emphasis on beauty and elegance speaks to the cultural values of the time, as well as the growing commercialization of art. By studying prints like this, we can learn about the social customs, gender roles, and aesthetic preferences of 18th-century Japan, using resources such as period literature and social histories. The interpretation of art is always tied to the social and institutional contexts in which it was created and consumed.