Parody of the Tale of Young Man Lu: Courtesan Dreaming 1764 - 1772

Editor: This is "Parody of the Tale of Young Man Lu: Courtesan Dreaming," a color woodblock print by Suzuki Harunobu, created between 1764 and 1772. The dreamy, muted colors create a really intimate, almost secretive atmosphere. What stories do you think this piece is telling, and to whom? Curator: That's a great initial response. I see this ukiyo-e print as a powerful commentary on gender, class, and social mobility. The “dreaming” isn't just whimsical; it's about aspirations and the limited paths available to women, especially courtesans, in Edo-period Japan. Editor: So, the “parody” in the title is significant? Curator: Absolutely. Harunobu often used classical literature as a springboard to critique contemporary society. What appears at first glance as a gentle genre scene—two women relaxing indoors—actually subverts the male-dominated narratives of traditional tales by focusing on the interior lives and desires of women who were often marginalized or objectified. Consider their confinement versus the outside scene depicted in the dreamlike fan above them: can they break free from their defined roles? Editor: It’s fascinating how the artist uses a familiar story to comment on something so specific about women's experiences. It almost feels like a radical act, hiding social commentary within something seemingly decorative. Curator: Exactly. The beauty and apparent tranquility of the print shouldn’t mask the subtle protest against the restrictive social structures of the time. By reimagining this famous story, Harunobu might be making a statement about female agency. What did you make of the gaze between the characters? Editor: Well, I hadn’t initially thought of it in this way, but this is really empowering to consider that there is more here than meets the eye at first. Thank you. Curator: Thank you. It's these complex layers that make ukiyo-e prints so engaging and vital, not just as artworks, but as social documents.