Wakana, Part 1 (Wakana, jo), from the series "A Fashionable Parody of the Tale of Genji (Furyu yatsushi Genji)" c. 1789 - 1794

Chōbunsai Eishi created this woodblock print, "Wakana, Part 1" as part of "A Fashionable Parody of the Tale of Genji" series during a time when Japanese society was highly stratified. Eishi, son of a samurai, turned away from his inherited status to pursue art. Here, he reimagines a classic tale through the lens of contemporary fashion and societal norms. The print presents an opportunity to think about gender roles. The women are adorned in elaborate garments and hairstyles, markers of status and beauty. Yet, they are also confined to certain spaces, like the interior garden depicted here. The male figure, likely representing Genji, holds a symbolic object, perhaps a peach, indicative of his position of power. The work operates as both a reflection and a gentle critique of the social expectations placed upon individuals based on their gender and class within the Edo period.