Vrouwen in een openlucht kamer 1793 - 1797

Hosoda Eishi created this woodblock print triptych called "Vrouwen in een openlucht kamer" – or "Women in an outdoor room" – during the Edo period in Japan, a time of relative peace and flourishing arts. Eishi, born into a samurai family, brings a refined sensibility to this intimate depiction of women, likely courtesans, engaged in leisurely activities. We see them in various poses – conversing, writing, and simply enjoying each other’s company. The setting, an outdoor room, blurs the boundaries between private and public, reflecting the complex social roles of women during this era. Confined, yet powerful, and often highly educated and influential, especially within the pleasure quarters. What strikes me most is the quiet, almost meditative mood. The delicate lines, the soft colors, and the attention to detail in the women's kimonos create a sense of beauty and tranquility. This work offers us a glimpse into the lives of women in 19th century Japan, inviting us to reflect on their experiences, their constraints, and their quiet acts of resistance.