Print 1703

This print was made by Torii Kiyonobu I in Japan, sometime in the late 17th or early 18th century. The scene depicts an interior with three figures, evoking a sense of intimacy and enclosure. It’s important to consider the social context in which Kiyonobu was working. He was a key figure in the Torii school of painting, which specialized in images of actors and courtesans. These prints, known as ukiyo-e, were immensely popular among the emerging urban merchant class, who sought entertainment and diversions in the pleasure districts of Edo, present-day Tokyo. Kiyonobu’s print offers a glimpse into this world, but it also raises questions about the representation of women and the dynamics of patronage in the art world. To fully understand this image, we can consult a wide range of historical sources, including contemporary literature, theater programs, and social histories of the Edo period. These will allow us to appreciate the complex interplay of art, commerce, and social life in early modern Japan.