The Priest Kisen, from the series "Six Immortal Poets (Rokkasen)" c. 1789 - 1790

Chōbunsai Eishi created this woodblock print titled “The Priest Kisen” as part of the series "Six Immortal Poets" during the Edo period. Eishi, who came from a samurai family, was deeply involved in depicting the social and cultural milieu of the pleasure districts of Edo. This print is a lens through which we can consider the complex intersections of identity, class, and artistic expression in 18th-century Japan. While ostensibly portraying the Priest Kisen, one of the poets, the print actually shows three elegantly dressed women in an outdoor setting. The attire and refined demeanor of the figures speak to the economic prosperity and cultural sophistication of the merchant class. The portrayal of women—their fashion, their leisure—reflects their evolving roles and visibility in urban society. This print invites us to contemplate the nuanced ways in which individual identity is both shaped by and expressed within historical and cultural contexts.