The Seventh Month (Shichigatsu), from the series "Twelve Months in the South (Minami juni ko)" c. 1783 - 1784

Torii Kiyonaga created this woodblock print titled "The Seventh Month" as part of his series "Twelve Months in the South." The series offers a glimpse into the leisure and social lives of women in the urban pleasure districts of Edo-period Japan. Kiyonaga, as the head of the Torii school, moved away from the earlier focus on individual courtesans, instead portraying women in group settings, often engaged in everyday activities. Here, three women are depicted on what appears to be a balcony overlooking a bay. They're primping and relaxing under the soft glow of paper lanterns, with a ship faintly visible in the distance. The print reflects the evolving role of women in Japanese society, moving away from traditional representations towards images of more independent figures enjoying urban life. Yet, the idealized beauty and serene atmosphere also hint at the restricted roles and expectations placed upon them. This image, with its blend of freedom and constraint, encapsulates the complex realities of women’s lives in the Edo period.