Sugoroku game 1896

This is Yōshū Chikanobu’s woodblock print depicting two women playing Sugoroku. Chikanobu lived during a time of immense change in Japan, as it transitioned from a feudal society to a modern nation-state. Here we see the artist turning to representations of women. The print depicts women engaged in a domestic activity which reflects their societal roles. However, Chikanobu’s work transcends traditional portrayals by capturing the complexities of women’s experiences during a period of social change. The Meiji period in Japan brought not only modernization, but also a reevaluation of gender roles. This print may be interpreted as a narrative about the negotiations and social interactions of women in a changing society. What does it mean to create a space where these negotiations can occur? How does Chikanobu's print engage with the identities and histories of the women represented?