Girl Accompanied by an Elder Attendant Walking by a Stream 1760 - 1780

This color woodblock print of a girl with an attendant was created by Isoda Koryūsai in Japan in the late 1700s. The print belongs to a genre called *ukiyo-e* – “pictures of the floating world.” These images were tied to the burgeoning urban culture of Edo, now Tokyo, and often depicted fashionable courtesans and actors. This print represents the type of woman admired at the time. Her identity is signaled by the sumptuousness and stylishness of her kimono, the most important indicator of status in the pleasure quarters. The cranes on her kimono signal longevity and good fortune. The scene is from everyday life, but it speaks to a more idealized vision of the era. The image offers a glimpse into the aesthetic values and social hierarchies of Edo period Japan, reflecting both the realities and fantasies of its urban residents. By researching the fashion trends, social customs, and artistic conventions of the time, we can better understand the rich cultural context in which this print was made and consumed.