A Monkey Trainer and His Monkey c. 1725

Okumura Masanobu created this woodblock print, "A Monkey Trainer and His Monkey," to be sold to a wide audience. Prints like this one captured scenes from everyday life, and they also give us a glimpse into the social hierarchy of Japan in the Edo period. Notice the figure of the monkey trainer. While they appear to be a common street performer, their clothing and accoutrements signify a more complex role. Who is this person? What position do they occupy within society? Traditionally, monkey trainers were seen as belonging to the lower social classes, yet they were also respected as entertainers who brought joy to the people. By depicting this figure, Masanobu invites us to consider the diverse roles individuals played in Japanese society, and perhaps challenges conventional representations of class and identity. The tenderness suggested in the trainer's gaze towards their monkey elicits a quiet, moving moment.