A Lady-in-Waiting of the Bunsei Period 1888

Yoshitoshi created this woodblock print of a lady-in-waiting during Japan's Meiji period. Her posture, with her head gently resting on her arm, speaks of a weariness, a melancholic repose characteristic of classical depictions of women across cultures. Consider the recurring motif of the reclining figure. From ancient Greek sculptures of languid goddesses to Renaissance paintings of Venus, the pose evokes contemplation, vulnerability, and a certain timeless grace. The curve of her neck and the soft contours of her face echo the Venus Pudica, yet here, she is cloaked, not nude, her emotions internalized. This posture taps into a collective memory of feminine ideals and subdued emotion. It speaks to the psychological weight of societal expectations and the introspective life of women across time. We see this echo through history, a non-linear, cyclical progression as this symbol resurfaces, evolves, and takes on new meanings in different contexts.