(Pillar and canopy) c. 1880s

Suga Kisui, active in the late Edo period, created this image, (Pillar and canopy). The late Edo period was a time of both cultural flourishing and increasing social stratification in Japan. Kisui lived in a society marked by rigid class structures, where one's position greatly influenced their opportunities and artistic expression. Here we see a pillar and canopy, elements suggestive of a formal setting. The hanging fabric features intricate writing. What does it mean to see this pillar and canopy depicted with such detail? One reading is that Kisui may have been exploring themes of social status and hierarchy through the depiction of architectural elements associated with power. Kisui creates an emotionally resonant piece, inviting us to reflect on the impact of societal structures on individual lives.