Twee vrouwen bij een bloeiende yamabuki struik: de tweede akte. 1795 - 1800

Kitagawa Utamaro created this woodblock print, "Two Women by a Flowering Yamabuki Bush: The Second Act," around the late 18th century in Japan. The print depicts two women, likely courtesans, in a moment of quiet elegance amidst the flowering yamabuki. Utamaro was a master of ukiyo-e, or "pictures of the floating world," a genre that often portrayed the pleasures and fashions of urban life. The work provides a glimpse into the licensed pleasure districts of Edo-period Japan. The yamabuki bush, with its vibrant yellow flowers, adds to the scene's sensual appeal. The women's elaborate hairstyles, makeup, and kimono designs indicate their status and profession. Prints such as these were not simply commercial products; they also reflected and shaped the social and cultural values of their time. The images were distributed through a complex network of publishers, artists, and patrons. These prints offer valuable insights into the social hierarchies, gender roles, and aesthetic ideals of Edo-period Japan. To understand this artwork better, we can examine contemporary literature, fashion trends, and the social history of the pleasure districts. This helps us appreciate how art both reflects and influences its cultural context.