Young Warrior and his Attendant c. 1770 - 1775

Isoda Koryūsai created this woodblock print entitled ‘Young Warrior and his Attendant,’ sometime in the late 18th century. Koryūsai, who once served as a samurai, later became a prominent artist of ukiyo-e prints in Edo-period Japan. This print presents a moment that disrupts traditional gender and class roles. We see what appears to be a woman dressed as a samurai accompanied by a male attendant. During the Edo period, the samurai class held significant power, and representations of women in this role challenge the patriarchal structure of the time. The attendant, seemingly of lower status, further complicates traditional power dynamics. The print invites us to consider the fluidity of identity and the potential for individuals to subvert societal expectations. What does it mean to perform a role that contradicts one's assigned place in society? The emotional tension between duty, desire, and identity is palpable. Koryūsai encourages us to reflect on the complexities inherent in challenging societal norms.