忠臣蔵九段目|A Woman at Her Toilet Seated before a Mirror, Having Her Hair combed by a Kameyui (Woman Hairdresser)
Medium
Woodblock print; ink and color on paper
Dimensions
H. 15 1/8 in. (38.4 cm); W. 10 1/2 in. (26.7 cm)
Classification
Prints
Culture & Period
Japan · Edo period (1615–1868)
Department
Asian Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of Estate of Samuel Isham, 1914
Accession Number
JP999
Rights
Public Domain
Tags
Art Historical Context
In the vibrant world of Edo-period Japan (1615–1868), Kitagawa Utam (1753–1806) captures an intimate moment in this woodblock print, titled *Chūshingura Ninth Act* or *A Woman at Her Toiletated before a Mirror, Her Hair Combed by a Kameyui*. The scene depicts a graceful woman seated before a mirror as her hairdresser, or *kameyui*, meticulously her elaborate coiffure—a nod to the popular kabuki play *Chūshingura* (The Treasury of Loyal Retainers), which dramatized the tale of the 47 loyal samurai. Utamaro, a master of *ukiyo-e* ("pictures of the floating world"), elevates everyday beauty rituals into art, blending theater inspiration with the allure of urban life in Edo (modern Tokyo). Utamaro's genius shines in his *bijin-ga* (beautiful women) prints, where subtle gradations of color—achieved through masterful woodblock techniques like *bokashi* (ink shading)—create luminous skin tones and flowing fabrics. Measuring 15 1/8 x 10 1/2 inches, this ink and color on paper work exemplifies the accessibility of ukiyo-e, produced in multiples for a wide audience beyond elites. His precise lines and erotic undertones highlight hair as a symbol of femininity and status. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Asian Art Department, this 1914 gift offers a window into 18th-century Japanese culture, where hairdressing was both daily necessity and artistic expression. Visitors will appreciate how Utamaro immortalized the poise and sensuality of women amid societal constraints.
About the Artist
Kitagawa Utamaro · 1753–1806
Kitagawa Utamaro (c. 1753-1806) was one of the most celebrated masters of ukiyo-e woodblock printing, revolutionizing the art of bijin-ga (pictures of beautiful women) during Japan's Edo period. Born Kitagawa Ichitaro, his early life remains shrouded in mystery, with conflicting accounts placing his birth in Kyoto, Osaka, Yoshiwara in Edo (modern Tokyo), or Kawagoe in Musashi Province. Under the t...