A Comparison of Beauties of the Green Houses: A Mirror of Their Lovely Forms (Seirō bijin awase sugata kagami) in 2 volumes Possibly 1776

Curator: The aged paper gives it such a sense of history! It looks like an old map, with those mottled stains resembling continents and oceans. Editor: This is a two-volume woodblock print book by Kitao Shigemasa, dating from the late 18th century. It's entitled "A Comparison of Beauties of the Green Houses: A Mirror of Their Lovely Forms." The "Green Houses" refer to licensed brothels, and this book, I think, offers a unique glimpse into the lives and representation of women within that context. Curator: Indeed, the mirror motif is intriguing. It begs the question: what aspects of feminine beauty are being reflected, and for whom? Are these women empowered agents, or are they constrained by societal expectations, commodified even? Editor: Consider the symbolism of seasonal change, "spring, summer, autumn, winter" down the spine. Does it reference the transient nature of beauty, or even the cyclical nature of the courtesan's life? Curator: The kanji characters themselves, carefully rendered, become symbols too, echoing artistic tradition and the weight of cultural encoding of social roles and expectations. Editor: Absolutely. This work is far more than decorative; it provokes a dialogue about the complexities of gender, representation, and social structures in Edo-period Japan. Curator: A glimpse into a world, certainly. I am left contemplating the artist's intent and the agency, or lack thereof, of these women portrayed.