Woman Counting with Her Fingers (Yubi-ori kazoeru onna), from the series Ten Types in the Physiognomic Study of Women (Fujin sōgaku juttai) c. 1792 - 1793

Curator: Kitagawa Utamaro’s print, "Woman Counting with Her Fingers," is from a series examining female physiognomy during the Late Edo period. Editor: I’m immediately struck by the economy of line, especially in the woman's face. It projects such calm, almost resignation. Curator: The print belongs to a series exploring the supposed correlation between physical traits and character—deeply rooted in hierarchical social structures. The act of counting could symbolize domestic accounting, therefore linking her to a particular socio-economic role. Editor: Yes, and the details—the subtle kimono patterns, the careful rendering of her hands—speak to Utamaro's mastery of form and his interest in representing texture and detail, although simplified through line. Curator: These prints, despite their artistry, reinforced societal expectations and gendered roles, limiting women to predetermined categories. The work acts as a lens through which we can interrogate power structures. Editor: The beauty of the line combined with the pose makes me think of the relationship between surface and depth and how appearances can be deceptive. Curator: These prints open a window onto the complex social dynamics of the Edo period. Editor: I agree; there's real elegance to the print. It’s a delicate balance of artistry and intention.