Irissen in volle bloei 1858

Here is a woodblock print triptych entitled Irissen in volle bloei, made by Utagawa Kunisada in Japan. Kunisada lived in Japan during the Edo period, a time of economic growth, strict social order, and the flourishing of the arts and urban culture. This print depicts three women who were likely courtesans or geisha, walking along a path lined with irises. Each figure is adorned in elaborate kimonos, representing the height of fashion. The triptych format allowed Kunisada to explore the individuality of each woman while also commenting on their shared identity within the pleasure districts of Edo. These women existed within strict social hierarchies, yet prints such as this offer a glimpse into their world, their style, and perhaps, their agency in navigating the constraints placed upon them. It serves as a poignant reminder of the complexities inherent in representing marginalized figures in art.