Hinazuru of Naka Ogi-ya as an Onna Jittoku 1815 - 1835

Editor: Here we have Yanagawa Shigenobu's "Hinazuru of Naka Ogi-ya as an Onna Jittoku", a Japanese woodblock print dating from somewhere between 1815 and 1835. The figure is adorned in rich fabrics. The longer I look at her hands, the more unsettling I find the portrait, it’s quite a strange, tense posture. What catches your eye in this print? Curator: Well, immediately, it's the clever visual wit, playing with layers of identity like costumes in a theatre. The "onna-jittoku" theme was popular, showcasing women dressed as the traditionally male Jittoku, figures known for wisdom and eccentric behavior. Imagine Hinazuru, a celebrated courtesan, embodying this almost playful persona. It hints at societal expectations and perhaps even a bit of rebellion! Tell me, what do you think of the relationship between her expression and this implied role-playing? Editor: Her face… there's a certain sadness there that contrasts sharply with the vibrant colours and the theatrical dressing. I’m surprised she’s not smiling. Curator: Exactly! And it's in this dissonance that I find the most compelling tension. She is both a performer, adhering to social roles, and an individual with an interiority. Do you get a sense that she is presenting one identity but thinking of another? The fan partly covering the left side of the portrait and what appears to be a rather stiff, reed broom convey that message for me, somehow. Editor: Yes, I think I get that now. Almost as if we are intruding on her thoughts as she holds these very symbolic objects. It's not just a portrait, it's like a glimpse into her hidden life, isn't it? Curator: Beautifully put! And isn't that the most rewarding aspect of engaging with art? These pieces whisper secrets that can enrich our world once we decode them.