Annual event - the third month (Ukiyo nenjū gyōji: Yayoi) 1834 - 1866

Editor: Here we have Utagawa Kunisada’s "Annual event - the third month," also known as "Ukiyo nenjū gyōji: Yayoi," created sometime between 1834 and 1866. It's a woodblock print depicting two women prominently, with what looks like a festival scene behind them. The detail in the kimonos is just incredible! What stands out to you in this work? Curator: The beauty is certainly captivating. For me, this ukiyo-e print serves as a portal into understanding the socio-political role of women and leisure activities in Edo-period Japan. Notice how the two women in the foreground are elegantly dressed, indicating a certain class and status. This artwork asks us to consider the role of women in the urban culture of the time and invites an examination of the dynamics of leisure and representation. The activities on the beach underscore this interplay. Who had access to leisure, and what did it mean for them? Editor: That’s a great point. The scene behind them really emphasizes the contrast – some appear to be working, others are playing, all within the same frame. Curator: Precisely. Think about the genre painting tradition, too. How does this work, by representing a popular event, legitimize or perhaps even critique the social order? Is it romanticizing a certain lifestyle? Editor: It’s definitely made me rethink how I view these beautiful ukiyo-e prints. I originally just saw them as aesthetically pleasing works. Curator: And there’s nothing wrong with that! But by interrogating the historical context and considering questions of gender, class, and labor, we can deepen our engagement with art and gain insights into the past. Editor: Absolutely, I’ll definitely keep these questions in mind when studying similar artworks going forward. Thanks for that eye-opening discussion! Curator: My pleasure. Art offers a unique window into societal structures and power relations. Hopefully more people are inspired to explore it through diverse theoretical lenses.