Bijin 

Keisai Eisen made this woodblock print, Bijin, during the Edo period in Japan. This was a time of relative peace and prosperity, yet also strict social hierarchy. Eisen specialized in bijinga, images of beautiful women, often portraying courtesans and geishas. In Bijin we observe an intimate scene: a woman meticulously applying makeup. Her face is serene, her focus absolute. Consider the position of women in Edo society – both idealized for their beauty and constrained by social expectations. Woodblock prints like this one played a role in shaping perceptions of femininity, often reinforcing traditional roles, but also offering glimpses into the private lives of women. Eisen's bijinga offer a window into this complex interplay of beauty, identity, and social expectation. The artist developed alternative narratives to highlight the beauty standards and emotional experiences of women.