Sugata 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

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"Sugata: Unveiling the Lives of Women in 18th Century Tokyo" Step into the vibrant streets of Edo, where women from all walks of life shaped the fabric of society. In this captivating era, we catch a glimpse of the working-class women in Tokyo, toiling tirelessly to support their families and carve out a place for themselves. As we wander through an Edo street scene, our eyes are drawn to young women adorned as geishas, enchanting passersby with their grace and talent. Their presence adds color and charm to the bustling cityscape. Meanwhile, within the walls of a house with a serene courtyard, wealthy townswomen gather. Here they find solace amidst their opulent surroundings – a respite from societal expectations. These women belong to the merchant or artisan class; their success is evident in every intricate detail that adorns their abode. Intriguingly, we witness a concubine (mekake) observing intently as a dancer captivates her audience. Her position beside her high-ranking partner grants her both privilege and vulnerability – caught between love and duty. On another note entirely, let us not forget about the wives belonging to Japan's elite samurai class who take moments for relaxation amidst their demanding lives. They embody strength and elegance simultaneously - pillars supporting both family honor and personal aspirations. Venturing outside Tokyo's confines reveals Japanese women picnicking in lush fields during this period - reveling in nature's beauty while cherishing each other's company. Their laughter echoes across time as they create memories that transcend generations. The aristocratic women parade past shops along Tokyo's streets - symbols of status intertwined with consumerism even then. The allure of luxury goods entices them as they navigate social norms while maintaining an air of sophistication. Amidst it all lies an archery range on an Edo street; here skill meets tradition as men and women alike test their prowess.