Prins Genji en Yugao 1795 - 1800

Chōkōsai Eishō created this woodblock print titled *Prins Genji en Yugao* during his short career in the 1790s. The composition, with its subtle layering of forms, offers a lesson in visual complexity. Look at how Eishō balances the flat planes of the women’s kimonos with the geometric patterns of the screens and the building. The artist uses line and color to define form, but also flattens the perspective to draw attention to the surface of the print. Notice, too, how the figures are arranged: each pose is distinct. This creates a semiotic dance, where clothing, setting, and gesture come together to tell a story. Eishō masterfully employs these visual codes to represent social roles and personal narratives. Ultimately, the success of this print lies in its ability to fuse formal elegance with narrative depth, inviting us to decode the visual language of Edo period Japan.