Two Women Conversing 1762 - 1819

Katsukawa Shun'ei’s woodblock print "Two Women Conversing" gives us a glimpse into the lives of women in late 18th-century Japan. Shun’ei was part of the Katsukawa school of art, known for its depictions of actors and courtesans. Here, two women are captured in a private moment. Their identities are not entirely clear, but the fact that their heads are covered suggests they are not courtesans. They are likely upper class women going out. Look at their fashionable kimono, adorned with geometric patterns and tied with contrasting obi sashes. These details speak to the women’s social standing and personal expression within the confines of Edo society. During this period, women's roles were largely defined by societal expectations and domestic responsibilities, yet they also found ways to assert their individuality. What are they discussing? Their secrets are held in their faces. "Two Women Conversing" reflects both the constraints and the quiet agency of women navigating their social world.