Rules for the Department of Young Ladies (Shōgaku Joreishiki zukai) c. late 19th century

Editor: This is Adachi Ginkō's "Rules for the Department of Young Ladies," a colorful woodblock print. The scenes feel very formal and staged. What can you tell me about the social context of this piece? Curator: Well, the title itself points to a very specific social agenda. How does the depiction of women in the image, their posture, attire, and activities, reinforce or perhaps subtly challenge the expectations of women at the time? Editor: I see women learning etiquette, it appears. It feels very restrictive. Curator: Precisely. Consider how these "rules" functioned within Meiji-era Japan, impacting women's roles and opportunities. Does the artist's style convey any implicit critique of these societal constraints? Editor: I hadn’t thought of it that way. It makes you wonder if the artist felt conflicted about these rules. Curator: Exactly! Art often operates in this space of tension, reflecting and questioning societal norms.