Hata-ori – Weaving on a loom
1793-1804
Utamaro, the master of the Edo period's 'floating world,' usually celebrated glamorous courtesans, but here he turns his keen eye to the grit of daily labor. In this piece from his series 'Mirror of Women's Handicrafts,' a weaver is caught in a moment of intense focus, her dark, patterned kimono contrasting with the bright red of her sash as she works the wooden loom. It’s a refreshing glimpse into the lives of working women, showing that Utamaro’s obsession with female beauty extended beyond the pleasure districts to the quiet dignity of everyday craftsmanship.
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