Vrouw speelt op een koto before 1900

This photogravure print shows a woman playing a koto, likely dating back to the late 19th or early 20th century in Japan. The image offers us a glimpse into the domestic and cultural life of the time. The koto, a traditional Japanese stringed instrument, was often associated with refinement and leisure. The woman's attire and posture speak to the cultural values placed on elegance and grace, also representing the social structures that dictated gender roles and expectations in the late Meiji and early Taisho periods. The setting, which looks to be the interior of a Japanese home, hints at the importance of private space and the cultivation of arts within that space. To better understand this artwork, scholars might consult historical records of Japanese musical traditions, social etiquette guides from the period, or even catalogs of imported goods.