Left: Cypress Fan (Hidari, hiōgi), Right: Courtesan Hanaōgi (Migi Hanaōgi), from the series Three Fan Comparisons (Ōgi awase sanban no uchi) c. 1820 - 1823

Curator: This print by Utagawa Kunisada, created sometime before 1865, is titled "Left: Cypress Fan, Right: Courtesan Hanaogi," part of a series called "Three Fan Comparisons." Editor: My initial sense is one of subdued opulence. The colors are muted, yet the kimono designs are so intricate, there's a sense of hidden luxury. Curator: The fan motif is central, representing not just aesthetic taste but the social roles women occupied. The courtesan, Hanaogi, is juxtaposed with a cypress fan. Editor: The fan seems to symbolize tradition, while the courtesan represents a vibrant, albeit constrained, form of female agency within that society. The dragon imagery on her robe seems telling. Curator: Precisely. The dragon could be interpreted as a symbol of power, but one mediated through performance and societal expectations. This print encapsulates those tensions. Editor: Yes, it’s a visual encapsulation of the complex interplay between tradition, power, and the feminine experience within a particular cultural framework.