Het Chrysantenfeest in de negende maand 1818

This woodblock print by Kikugawa Eishin depicts a scene from the Chrysanthemum Festival in Japan. These festivals helped to shape artistic production. The image creates meaning through visual codes, cultural references and historical associations. It shows us a stylish woman, possibly a courtesan, with an attendant. It was made in Japan, probably in the nineteenth century. Specific features of that culture such as seasonal festivals would have influenced the artwork. Japan's rigid social classes and urban culture also inform the print. The Chrysanthemum Festival, celebrated in the ninth month, was a time for socializing and enjoying beauty, reflecting a sophisticated urban society. The image’s focus on fashion and social customs suggests a self-conscious engagement with contemporary life. Historians consult prints and other historical documents to research the social structures of the time. By understanding the social and institutional context, we gain insight into the complex meanings of art.