Woman Playing the Tsuzumi 1790 - 1810

Kubo Shunman’s woodblock print, Woman Playing the Tsuzumi, presents a fascinating glimpse into the artistic and cultural landscape of late 18th or early 19th century Japan. The image depicts a woman in elegant attire, playing a hand drum, or tsuzumi, alongside what seems to be a poem. During the Edo period, to which Shunman belonged, art institutions were often shaped by the patronage of the merchant class, who had the means to engage with the arts. Woodblock prints like these, known as ukiyo-e, reflect the tastes and interests of this rising social group and their demand for images of fashionable life. The print gives the viewer a perspective into contemporary fashions and the leisure activities of urban dwellers. These details can provide insight into the social structures and cultural values of the time. Art historians delve into prints like these to uncover the intricate relationships between art, commerce, and society in the Edo period.