Precepts for Women (Ehon Onna imagawa) 絵本女今川

Katsushika Hokusai 葛飾北斎 Japanese

Not on view

Onna Imagawa, written by Sawada Kichi, was first published in 1700. The book went through many editions, a number of which were illustrated. Hokusai avoided direct illustration of the text, but he did create images representing the greatest feminine virtues. Here, a woman relaxes after a summer bath on her veranda while a scholarly gentleman peeks at her through a gap in the fence. Stylistically, the print seems to date to the artist's Iitsu period (ca. 1820–33), but the only dated edition refers to the year 1844.

Precepts for Women (Ehon Onna imagawa) 絵本女今川, Katsushika Hokusai 葛飾北斎 (Japanese, Tokyo (Edo) 1760–1849 Tokyo (Edo)), Book of polychrome woodblock prints; ink and color on paper, Japan

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