Dog (Inu), from the series "Fashionable Twelve Signs of the Zodiac (Furyu juni shi)" c. 1782

This color woodblock print depicting a dog is from a series called “Fashionable Twelve Signs of the Zodiac,” made by Torii Kiyonaga in Japan's Edo period. Kiyonaga was a leading artist of ukiyo-e prints, which captured the fleeting world of fashion, entertainment, and urban life. Note the elegant figure, likely a courtesan, rendered with refined lines and delicate colors. The dog at her feet alludes to the zodiac, but also subtly signifies loyalty and domesticity, qualities associated with women in that era. Woodblock prints were not simply commercial products, they were cultural artifacts reflecting and shaping social values. Scholars of ukiyo-e delve into historical records, fashion trends, and social commentaries to decipher the layers of meaning embedded in these images. By understanding the institutions and cultural context that shaped Kiyonaga's work, we gain insight into the intricate relationship between art, society, and power in 18th-century Japan.