Five Women Who Loved Love (Koshoku gonin onna), Vol. 2 Possibly 1686

Editor: Here we have a page from Yoshida Hanbei’s “Five Women Who Loved Love.” The details of the figures are fascinating. What’s your take on this, considering the title? Curator: Well, considering the artist lived in an era that repressed women, I see this as a lens into the private lives of women and possibly a commentary on the socio-cultural landscape of the time. Do you see any tension between the title and what’s represented here? Editor: Now that you mention it, there’s a quietness that contrasts with the idea of passionate love. Perhaps it's about the constraints placed upon women. Curator: Exactly! This quietness speaks volumes about societal expectations, and the role of women within them. It’s a powerful statement through subtlety. Editor: This really shifted my perspective. I hadn't considered the constraints. Thanks!