Ochiyo en Hanbei nemen de benen 1780 - 1784

Torii Kiyonaga created this woodblock print titled "Ochiyo en Hanbei nemen de benen" sometime between 1752 and 1815. Kiyonaga, as a member of the Torii School, dedicated himself to ukiyo-e, a genre which captured the everyday lives of people in the Edo period, especially those in the pleasure districts. Here, two figures are depicted under an umbrella; the woman is identified as Ochiyo. The print offers insight into gender roles and social expectations of the time. Ochiyo is illustrated with grace and elegance; her posture, dress, and hairstyle all point to her status and role within the social structure of the era. Ochiyo's identity goes beyond mere representation as she embodies the complexities of gender, class, and desire within the social fabric of Edo society. "Ochiyo en Hanbei nemen de benen" invites us to reflect on the intricacies of identity, representation, and the emotional landscapes of individuals navigating the currents of history.