Young Women Playing Kitsune-ken (Fox Game) 1768 - 1769

"Young Women Playing Kitsune-ken (Fox Game)" is a woodblock print by Suzuki Harunobu, made in Japan during the 18th century. Harunobu was a leading artist of his time, known for his innovations in color printing. This print captures a moment of leisure among young women, offering insights into the lives of women in the Edo period. The Kitsune-ken, or fox game, was a popular hand game similar to rock-paper-scissors and was often played in social settings. The game itself provides a structure for interaction, but who gets to participate and how reveals social dynamics. Here, we see women engaged in entertainment and cultural rituals, revealing the intersection of play, social status, and gender roles. Harunobu invites us to witness a fleeting, intimate moment and consider the complex interplay of identity and social context.