Looking dark - The appearance of a wife during the Meiji era 1888

Curator: It has an arresting and strangely unsettling composition, doesn't it? Editor: Indeed. The piece is entitled "Looking dark - The appearance of a wife during the Meiji era," created in 1888 by Tsukioka Yoshitoshi. It’s a woodblock print. There's a palpable tension; the heavy lines and shadowed space contribute to a certain darkness. Curator: Absolutely. Look how Yoshitoshi plays with diagonals—the thrust of her arm, the angle of her face—creating a dynamic, almost theatrical effect. Notice also the contrast between the intricate pattern of her kimono and the flat, dark background. Editor: It certainly draws the eye. Beyond the visual dynamics, the work gives us a fascinating glimpse into the changing roles of women in Meiji-era Japan. The ‘modern woman’ was a contested figure, pulled between tradition and Westernisation. This print seems to capture that unease. Curator: It’s visible in the visual codes here as well. She’s lighting a small lamp at her vanity; and her expression—a slight frown, downcast eyes—hint at the internal conflict between tradition and modernity that many women experienced. There's almost a weariness, a sense of being observed. Editor: The details also intrigue: the style of the mirror, the arrangement of the hair, even the placement of that package. It’s almost a caricature, wouldn’t you agree? Curator: Perhaps, but Yoshitoshi was known for pushing the boundaries of ukiyo-e. To me, these slightly exaggerated features only add to the complexity of the emotional register here. The lines around her closed eye. He makes a simple everyday gesture so profound. It leaves the viewer lingering to contemplate how a time of great transformation impacts the domestic sphere. Editor: It certainly leaves one thinking. All these years later. I must agree with you on the emotional complexity of this composition. Thank you for such insights. Curator: My pleasure. It’s the layering of those observations that creates something beautiful to think about!