Sekidera Komachi, from the series Fashionable Beauties as the Seven Komachi (FÅ«ryÅ« bijin nana Komachi) c. late to early to mid 19th century

Editor: Here we have Kikugawa Eizan's "Sekidera Komachi, from the series Fashionable Beauties as the Seven Komachi," a woodblock print. The woman's posture is quite striking. What do you make of this image? Curator: This print reimagines Komachi, a famous poet, through the lens of contemporary fashion, reflecting the Edo period's evolving social ideals. Notice how it presents a dialogue between classical identity and modern aesthetics, highlighting the constraints and performances of womanhood. Editor: Performance? Curator: Yes, how does this idealized, fashionable Komachi both uphold and subvert traditional representations of women? What tensions exist between her individual agency and societal expectations? Editor: So it's a commentary on the roles women played, then and perhaps now, too. Thanks!