'Insurance girl' (hoken musume), illustration from Bugei Kurabu (Literary Club) 1864 - 1905

Tomioka Eisen created this woodblock print of an insurance girl for the 'Literary Club' in Japan, sometime around the turn of the 20th century. The print offers a glimpse into the changing role of women and the evolving social landscape of Meiji-era Japan. The figure is a modern working woman, identifiable by her western-style clothing and hairstyle, yet she retains an air of traditional Japanese beauty and grace. The inclusion of an insurance girl as a subject reflects the growing presence of women in the workforce. But also the rise of consumer culture and new financial institutions. The image creates meaning through the tension between tradition and modernity, and the negotiation of gender roles in a rapidly changing society. As historians, we can delve deeper into understanding this artwork by exploring sources. For example: period literature, business records, and social commentaries. Through such research, we gain a richer understanding of the social conditions and institutional forces that shaped its creation.