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

Chōbunsai Eishi created this woodblock print, Suma, from the series "A Fashionable Parody of the Tale of Genji," during the Edo period in Japan. The Tale of Genji was a classic of Japanese literature and a touchstone of elite culture; here, it is playfully reimagined in the context of the pleasure quarters. This print gives us a window into the floating world of Edo-period Japan, where courtesans were tastemakers and celebrities. The figures are dressed in the height of fashion, with elaborate hairstyles and beautifully patterned kimonos. This work comments on the social structures of its time by elevating the status of women who were otherwise marginalized. The print also critiques the institutions of art by parodying a classic work of literature and reimagining it in a contemporary setting. To better understand this work, we can research the history of the Edo period, the Tale of Genji, and the floating world. By examining the social and cultural context in which this print was made, we can gain a deeper appreciation for its meaning and significance.