Young Woman Carrying Box in Her Hands 1780 - 1795

Katsukawa Shunchō created this woodblock print of a young woman carrying a box in Japan, most likely between 1775 and 1795. The image is an example of Ukiyo-e, a popular genre of Japanese art that flourished from the 17th through 19th centuries. The Ukiyo-e prints often depicted women, actors, and landscapes, and were created for the entertainment and pleasure of the merchant class. The box the woman carries is of particular interest. During the Edo period in Japan, gift giving was a highly ritualized activity, and it would be interesting to know more about the social rules for this kind of exchange. The print offers an intimate glimpse into the world of Japanese customs and artistic styles. By exploring historical documents and studies of Japanese culture, we can discover new insights into the social meanings and power dynamics that were circulating at the time. The print serves as a window into a society that was both beautiful and complex.