The Faithful Wife as a Visual Parody of Kawachi-goe from the Tale of Ise (later edition) 1765

This woodblock print by Suzuki Harunobu depicts a woman in a scene that echoes a narrative from the Tale of Ise. Note how she stands, her hand gently placed on the sliding door; this gesture, seemingly simple, speaks volumes. The act of a woman waiting, watching, has roots stretching back through art history. Consider the countless depictions of women at windows, symbolizing anticipation, longing, or confinement. Here, Harunobu cleverly alludes to this tradition while injecting a contemporary twist. The kimono, with its flowing lines, also evokes a sense of yearning. The weight of faithfulness in the collective consciousness is a powerful undercurrent. This image serves as a potent reminder of how cultural memories intertwine with artistic expression. The emotional power lies in the universal human experience of waiting and hoping, a theme that continuously resurfaces.