A Mock Marriage Ceremony 1763 - 1783

Isoda Koryūsai made this woodblock print, "A Mock Marriage Ceremony," in Japan during the Edo period. The composition is structured around a central diagonal axis where figures, dressed in patterned kimonos, are gathered in an intimate interior setting. The spatial arrangement uses both linear and atmospheric perspective to create a sense of depth, drawing the viewer's eye from the foreground to the background. The delicate use of line and color in the kimonos and the architectural framework subtly disrupts traditional norms, echoing the satirical theme of a "mock" ceremony. The formal qualities of the artwork, such as the juxtaposition of geometric and organic patterns, can be seen as visual semiotics. The print subtly critiques social mores and values through its thematic content and its formal play with traditional representation. Ultimately, this work challenges the viewer to consider the interplay between societal expectations and individual expression. It remains a complex artifact that continues to invite reinterpretation.