Ghost of Sogo's Wife (Sogo no tsuma no tamashii) Possibly 1893

Editor: This intriguing print, "Ghost of Sogo's Wife" by Toyohara Kunichika, really captures a sense of dread. What strikes you about the historical context of this piece? Curator: Well, this print speaks volumes about the societal constraints placed on women, doesn't it? Consider the powerlessness of women in feudal Japan, and the ghost as a symbol of suppressed rage. How does the artist use visual language to convey her torment, do you think? Editor: I see the exaggerated, almost grotesque features and the way she seems to tower over the men as a sign of the character's anger. Curator: Precisely. Her haunting presence is a direct result of patriarchal structures. It prompts us to reflect on how societal injustices can manifest in art, challenging those power dynamics. Editor: I never thought about it that way before. The print feels more like a protest now. Curator: Exactly! Art is a tool.