Tripytych of Young Men 1691 - 1768

Okumura Masanobu created this Triptych of Young Men using woodblock print in the Edo period. It offers a glimpse into the gender and class dynamics of 18th-century Japan. The figures depicted present themselves in a manner that challenges conventional gender norms. They wear elaborate clothing and hairstyles typically associated with women, and their delicate features contribute to an androgynous aesthetic. The print invites us to consider the fluidity of gender expression within historical contexts, reflecting a society where gender roles were not always rigidly defined. Masanobu's work also subtly critiques the social hierarchies of his time. The lavish attire and leisurely poses suggest a life of privilege, enjoyed by members of the upper class, which contrasts sharply with the lives of the working class, whose stories often go unrecorded. This print is not just a visual representation but an invitation to reflect on the ways identity is performed, negotiated, and sometimes subverted within the constraints of society. It reminds us that art can serve as a mirror, reflecting both the visible and the obscured aspects of our shared human experience.