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Wealthy townswomen at a house with courtyard, 18th century
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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. Handcoloured ukiyo-e woodblock print by Toyokuni Utagawa from Shikitei Sanbas Ehon Imayo Sugata (Picture Book of the Modern Forms and Figures, Tokyo, 1916. Reprint of the original from 1802
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Media ID 23392238
© Florilegius
Bathhouse Baths Cartouche Courtyard Ehon Figures Forms Geisha Imayo Kimono Lifestyle Nanny Office Older Placement Sanba Seller Servant Shikitei Sugata Toyokuni Ukiyo Utagawa Wealthy Woodblock Woodcut Noren
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In this exquisite handcoloured ukiyo-e woodblock print from the early 19th century, we are transported back to the elegant world of wealthy townswomen in Tokyo during the 18th century. The scene unfolds at the residence of an older woman, where three young chonin, or urban elite, women have gathered for a meeting. The women, dressed in the latest fashionable kimonos, sit on tatami mats, their faces expressing a sense of seriousness and importance. A maid, attentively carrying a tray, enters the room and approaches a young nursing mother, who cradles her baby in a nanny's arms. The soothing presence of the maid, bringing tea to the mother, adds a comforting touch to the scene. The entrance to the house is adorned with a noren, a traditional Japanese curtain, and a kanban, or signboard, bearing the name of the household. The courtyard outside the house is filled with the vibrant colors of a flower seller and the inviting allure of a nearby bathhouse. The older woman, perhaps a matriarch or a geisha, sits on a raised platform, her serene expression suggesting wisdom and grace. The placement of this scene in the context of the courtyard, with its openness to the natural world, underscores the connection between the indoor and outdoor realms of daily life. This print, titled "Wealthy townswomen, Tokyo, 18th century," is a testament to the richness and complexity of Japanese culture during the Edo period. It offers a glimpse into the lives of the urban elite, their fashion, their customs, and their daily routines. The print is a masterpiece by the renowned artist Toyokuni Utagawa, from the collection "Picture Book of the Modern Forms and Figures," published in Tokyo in 1916, and is a reprint of the original from 1802. The intricate details and vibrant colors of the print serve to bring this historical moment to life, offering us a window into the past.
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