Weighing the Goods of Love (Enshoku shinasadame): [volume 1] 艶色品定女 1842 - 1862

"Weighing the Goods of Love (Enshoku shinasadame): [volume 1] 艶色品定女" is a woodblock print by the Japanese artist Utagawa Kunimori II (1830-1861), dated to 1842-1862. The artwork, now in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, features a group of figures in a snowy landscape. The print depicts three women in elaborate clothing, walking beneath a tree and holding umbrellas. The artist uses vibrant colors and detailed designs to capture the beauty of the women and the splendor of their attire. The scene, while seemingly everyday, suggests a deeper meaning, perhaps referencing the complexities of love and relationships. This artwork is a fine example of the "bijin-ga" (beautiful women) genre of ukiyo-e, highlighting the importance of aesthetics and societal roles in Japanese art.