Ono no Komachi Visiting Kiyomizu Temple, from the series The Fashionable Seven Komachi (Furyu nana Komachi) c. 1615 - 1868

Chōbunsai Eishi created this woodblock print, "Ono no Komachi Visiting Kiyomizu Temple," in Japan, as part of the series "The Fashionable Seven Komachi." Here, Eishi presents a re-imagining of the Heian-era poet Ono no Komachi, updated for the artist’s own time. This print provides insights into the floating world culture of the Edo period. Kiyomizu Temple was a popular pilgrimage site, but note how the artist focuses more on the fashionable attire and leisurely interactions of the figures than on the temple itself. Eishi was known for his depictions of elegant women, and this print reflects the aesthetic values and social customs of the late 18th century. The print suggests the importance of fashion and social display in urban life. Historians can use prints like this to study clothing styles, social activities, and popular culture in Japan during the Edo period. The imagery reflects the ways artists both responded to and shaped the values of their society.