Uchikawa Bosetsu 1758 - 1778

This is Isoda Koryūsai’s woodblock print, "Uchikawa Bosetsu," created in Japan during the late 18th century. Koryūsai, who once served as a samurai, later became a prominent ukiyo-e artist, celebrated for his depictions of women in domestic settings or as courtesans. Here, we see two women amidst a snowy landscape. The woman on the right bows deeply, an act laden with social meaning, while the other holds an umbrella, her gaze lowered in what might be construed as deference or concern. Koryūsai’s delicate lines and muted colors invite contemplation on the nuanced social interactions and emotional depths of his subjects. This print invites us to consider the lives of women in Edo-period Japan, and reflect on the complex relationships and social dynamics that shaped their daily existence.