The Surface of the Water 1826 - 1836

Komatsubara Suikei created this woodblock print called "The Surface of the Water," sometime between 1780 and 1833. The print offers a glimpse into the intimate and gendered spaces of Edo-period Japan. On either side of the page we see groups of figures, segregated by gender, engaging in different activities. The women are depicted in a domestic setting, possibly preparing food or tea. In contrast, the men are gathered in what appears to be a space for intellectual or social exchange. The imagery emphasizes a societal structure in which gender dictated roles and spaces. The print complicates our understanding of social relationships and power dynamics. Are the women confined, or are they in a space of their own? The men seem to be engaged in leisure, while women are engaged in labor. "The Surface of the Water" invites reflection on the boundaries that defined people’s lives and the complex interplay of gender, class, and identity. The artwork encourages us to imagine the lives and experiences of those who inhabited this world.