Nummer vijf: Het eerste schrijven van het nieuwe jaar door Hitofude uit het Tamaya c. 1827

Yashima Gakutei created this woodblock print titled "Nummer vijf: Het eerste schrijven van het nieuwe jaar door Hitofude uit het Tamaya" sometime between 1810 and 1840. It offers us a window into the floating world, the vibrant, pleasure-seeking culture of Japan’s Edo period. The print depicts courtesans, their elaborate hairstyles and luxurious kimonos signaling their profession and status within the complex social hierarchy of the time. During the Edo period, women, particularly those in the entertainment industry, often navigated a society with limited freedoms, yet they wielded a certain influence through their art and social interactions. These prints allowed a wider audience to vicariously experience aspects of this exclusive world. The artist, Gakutei, lived during a time of strict social norms, yet his work often hints at a subtle critique or playful observation of societal expectations. Through this glimpse into the Tamaya house, we are invited to reflect on themes of identity, performance, and the nuanced roles women played in shaping cultural life during this period.