Youth Carrying a Lantern and an Umbrella c. 1740s

Ishikawa Toyonobu made this woodblock print, "Youth Carrying a Lantern and an Umbrella," in Japan during the mid-18th century. Its seemingly simple depiction of a young woman is tied to Japan’s evolving urban culture. Prints like this one gained popularity during the Edo period, reflecting the rising merchant class and their embrace of leisure and entertainment. The image presents a fashionable woman, perhaps a courtesan, with her lantern and umbrella, suggesting a night out in the city. Such prints served as a form of social commentary, capturing the era's changing social landscape. Historical documents from the Edo period, including diaries, literature, and other visual culture, help us understand the specific contexts in which these images circulated. By considering these materials, we recognize that art's meaning is contingent on its time and place.