Omslag van Negai no itoguchi 1799

This cover of 'Negai no itoguchi' was made by Kitagawa Utamaro in Japan, sometime before 1806. Utamaro was a master of ukiyo-e prints, a genre that thrived during the Edo period. This was a time of economic growth but rigid social order, with the arts flourishing amongst the merchant class. Ukiyo-e, meaning "pictures of the floating world", often depicted courtesans, actors, and scenes from urban life. They catered to the tastes of a public seeking enjoyment in officially sanctioned pleasure districts. Utamaro elevated the genre with his focus on individual beauty and expressive emotion. His works offer insights into the fashion, leisure, and social dynamics of Edo society. As historians, we delve into the archives, scrutinize the woodblocks, and analyze the cultural context to understand the messages embedded in these images. The floating world may be gone, but these prints endure, inviting us to reflect on the ever-changing relationship between art and society.