Rain in the Fifth Month (Samidare) c. 1755

Ishikawa Toyonobu created this woodblock print, Rain in the Fifth Month, sometime in the mid-18th century. It depicts two women on a rainy day, each holding an umbrella, seemingly caught in a private moment amidst the bustle of everyday life. During the Edo period in Japan, when this print was made, art often navigated strict social hierarchies. The women here, likely courtesans or fashionable city dwellers, occupy a space both visible and restricted, their identities shaped by societal expectations and the male gaze. There's a quiet defiance in their covered faces. The umbrellas shield them from the rain, but also from direct scrutiny, creating a space for autonomy. Are they sharing secrets, or simply finding solidarity in each other's company? Toyonobu invites us to reflect on the complexities of female identity and social interaction within the cultural norms of his time. This print is a window into a world where beauty, privacy, and social commentary intertwine.