Washing the Book 1770 - 1790

Isoda Koryūsai's woodblock print, 'Washing the Book' shows us a slice of 18th century Japanese life. Look closely, and you’ll see a child earnestly cleaning pages, perhaps learning respect for knowledge from a young age. This image reflects the cultural values of the Edo period in Japan. During this time, the merchant class gained prominence, influencing art and culture. Koryūsai, who was himself a samurai, later in life became an artist who captured the daily lives and fashions of the urban population, often depicting courtesans and geishas, like the ones you see in the picture. They are pausing their conversation to notice the child below. The print hints at a society keen on education and refinement even among the emerging middle classes. Historians use prints like these, along with literature and social records, to reconstruct the texture of the past. These sources reveal how cultural values and social structures shaped the production and reception of art.