Ukiyo-e

Oiran by Tominobu Kasentei

This ukiyo-e depicts a high class courtesan. I chose this ukiyo-e because I liked the layers of kimono. The many layers of kimono, an obi tied in front, and the many hair ornaments are all signifiers of a courtesan. It is interesting that compared to western depictions of courtesans and prostitutes, this oiran is wearing a considerable amount of clothing. I also have previously done research on erotic ukiyo-e and one of the most interesting details that I noticed/read about was that even ukiyo-e that featured more erotic situations still many times featured figures dressed in many layers of clothing and many folds in the fabric. This was because kimono are expensive, and even the opulence was somewhat seen as  seductive. She also appears to be very poised, and proper, compared to Western representations of women associated with entertainment and pleasure quarters. Oiran were not only selected for their beauty, but also because they were still entertainers: many knew calligraphy, flower arranging, how to perform tea ceremonies, how to play instruments, and were well read.

Profile (Red Girl) by Saitou Kiyoshi

 I chose this ukiyo-e after I chose the one of the oiran because this ukiyo-e also reminds me of a more modern version of representations of women in red light districts. Besides being bathed in red light, associated with pleasure quarters, the woman is also portrayed in a very sultry way. The darker red areas of the face emphasize her full lips, thick eyelashes, and finely shaped eyebrows. These are all traits that westerners usually associate with women who work in the pleasure industry.
However, this ukiyo-e also has a very natural feel to it. The lighter red lines in the background look somewhat like reeds, and the shading in her hair and on her face and neck looks like a texture created by a natural sponge. In spite of her sultry look, "natural" quality seems to give the subject an organic or even "pure" image.

Imagined travels in Japan

Here a Moos'mie pours tea with exceptional delicateness. Whereas in the West, one pours tea for the soul purpose of drinking, those in Japan take pride in pouring their tea with slowness, indulging in the action's connection to nature.

Here a man and a woman make fans. These fans are exceptionally large and do not fit well in coat pockets. Instead men and women carry them tucked inside their kimonos for easy access. This type of fan is usually used by courtesans.

This is a temple called kinkakuji. It sits nestled in a beautiful area surrounded by untouched land. The Japanese always place their sacred sites in such areas of beauty. This temple is adorned with gold and on top of the roof sits a golden rooster which is a symbol of Japan as the land of the rising sun.

Teachers try to teach their students how to do traditional dances. Unlike Western dance, Japanese dance is not graceful or flowing but instead has shorter and more rigid motions. The dancers barely move while dancing.

This is a moos'mie who is playing the shamisen. The shamisen is played by many and has a curious sound. The instrument is tuned very differently from Western instrument and has a twang that is very very harsh to western ears. It is reminiscent of the banjo

Globetrotters pictures

In the essay on representation and misrepresentation, Dower used an image of two women feeding chickens, and he notes that the fake chicken in the photo just emphasizes how unrealistic the image is. Even though the process of washing kimono may be similar to what the women in the picture are doing, the photo is still staged in order to make the image look attractive to foreigners rather than to actually show how the process is done or reflect the actual lives of the women.

In the section on Globetrotters, there was a list of the different "types" of globe trotters. The descriptions of these different types of globetrotters made me think about how different groups of globetrotters would only be interested in certain areas or topics, such as nature, people, or palaces; therefore, the images they selected would not only show a potential bias, but also be skewed towards only certain areas of information.

Beato's Photographs

The way this image was shot an also the words accompanying it in the caption provided with the photo suggest that this area is essentially untouched by humans and technology. This lends to the myth of Japan as very old-fashioned, and extremely focused on nature.

 This image also shows a romanticized view of Japan. The ladies are dressed in draping kimonos, and the folds of the fabric are quite evident. The one woman who is purring on the obi is also not placing that much tension on the fabric in order to put it on.

Yokohama Woodblock Prints

This image blends Japanese and Foreign elements. Using the idea of interpellation, the woman, although Western-looking, is also carrying the child in a more Japanese manner, making her relatable, and the man is smoking a cigarette, which was popular I think during that time.


This painting actually presents women as more active, perhaps because the woman is riding a horse, which was not done by women in Japan. Although, the women in the photo are more of a focal point and do still just "appear," and therefore are still a part of the male gaze.