Shikitei Collection

Women of the working class in Tokyo, 18th century
Women of the working class in Tokyo, Edo Era, 18th century. A laundress washing clothes in a tub, a menial maid carrying water pales with yoke, servant with brush, and nursemaid with baby

Edo street scene, 18th century. A dance teacher and pupil on the left, a nori (glue) seller is beckoned by workers in a small family business

Young women and geisha on an Edo street, 18th century
Scene outside an office for servant placement with the entrance to a female bathhouse. An older woman talks to a nanny with baby and other working women

Wealthy townswomen at a house with courtyard, 18th century
Wealthy townswomen, Tokyo, 18th century. Three young chonin women gather at the house of an older woman for a meeting. A maid brings tea to a young nursing mother

Women of the merchant or artisan class. Waka poetry tutor in a daimyos house. Servants sewing, writing poems, wrapping items and carrying rice

Concubine (mekake) of a high-ranking man watching a dancer
Concubine (mekake) of a high-ranking man with tobacco pipe watching a dancing girl accompanied by musicians on shamisen and blind koto harpist (koze)

Wife of the elite samurai class relaxing
Wife of the elite samurai class reading books, with other women writing with a pen, one looking at ukiyo-e prints, and one folding paper. Another woman delivers reams of paper and ink

Japanese women picnicing in a field, Tokyo, 18th century
Japanese women picnicing in a field outside Tokyo, 18th century. Women smoking a tobacco pipe while waiting for a soba-shop woman to bring a kettle and tray of noodles

Aristocratic women parading past a ?shop, Tokyo
Aristocratic women parading passing a ?yojiya, a shop selling brushes and toothpicks, Tokyo, 18th century. Young maids carry a mirror

Edo street scene, 18th century, with archery range
Edo street scene, 18th century. A shop girl sits in front of an archery range holding a bow. A tea shop girl stands on a bench with a candle. A woman and edemame seller with baby pass by

Woman of the nobility or courtier in silk kimono walking
Woman of the nobility or courtier in silk kimono with cypress fan walking in a garden under cherry blossoms. Handcoloured ukiyo-e woodblock print by Toyokuni Utagawa from Shikitei Sanbas Ehon Imayo

London Docks, Greenwich Hospital and Chelsea Hospital. Entrance to the new London docks opened in 1805 in Wapping 85, disabled Navy pensioners at Greenwich Hospital 86

Woman and Attendant, ca. 1795. Creator: Utagawa Toyokuni I
Woman and Attendant, ca. 1795. Courtesan on her way to see her first customer of the evening by the light of a lantern held by an attendant. Edo period

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"Shikitei: A Glimpse into the Lives of 18th Century Tokyo Women" Step back in time to the bustling streets of Edo, where women from all walks of life shaped the vibrant tapestry of society. In this captivating era, shikitei - women of the working class in Tokyo - were an integral part of the city's fabric. As you wander through an Edo street scene, their presence is undeniable. Young women and geisha grace these lively avenues, adding a touch of elegance and allure to every corner they pass. Their colorful kimonos catch your eye as they navigate through a sea of people. But it's not just about beauty; wealth also played its role. At a house with a courtyard, wealthy townswomen gather to share stories and laughter. These privileged few enjoy luxuries that others can only dream of, yet their lives are not without challenges. Meanwhile, women belonging to the merchant or artisan class contribute their skills and expertise to fuel Tokyo's economic engine. With determination etched on their faces, they work tirelessly behind shop counters or craft exquisite pieces that find homes near and far. In another realm entirely lies the concubine (mekake) who watches intently as a dancer captivates her high-ranking lover. Her existence may be complex but she possesses an air of mystery that intrigues those around her. On contrastingly serene occasions, wives from elite samurai families find solace in relaxation amidst their honorable duties. Clad in elegant silk kimonos, they embody grace while cherishing moments away from societal expectations. The enchanting sight continues as Japanese women gather for picnics in open fields outside bustling Tokyo walls. Here nature embraces them warmly as friendships bloom over shared food and laughter under clear blue skies. Amidst aristocratic splendor parading past shops stands out prominently – truly capturing attention.