Foreigners Enjoying Themselves in the Gankirō 1851 - 1871

Utagawa Yoshikazu created this vibrant woodblock print, ‘Foreigners Enjoying Themselves in the Gankirō', during a period of profound transformation in Japan. It was a time when the country was opening up to the world after centuries of self-imposed isolation. The Gankirō, a renowned establishment in Yokohama, becomes a stage where identities and cultures meet, mingle, and sometimes clash. Note the Western men, with their distinctive clothing and boisterous demeanor, contrasting with the Japanese women, who are likely geishas, entertaining them. What dynamics of gender, race, and class do you think are at play in this encounter? The artist presents a scene bustling with life, where music, dance, and conversation fill the air. This work reflects the complex interplay between cultures during a period of rapid change. It prompts us to reflect on the power dynamics inherent in cultural exchange, and the ways in which individuals navigate these spaces, carrying their own histories and identities.