One of the most popular subjects of Japanese woodblocks prints from the late 18th and 19th centuries was so-called “beautiful women” or “bijin.” Often employed bythe licensed pleasure quarters or tea houses, these women were celebrated for their fashion and femininity. However, other types of women also appeared in floating world prints. This exhibition expands the boundaries of the “beautiful women” genre to consider the many ways that women were depicted in traditional and modern Japanese prints.

Support for this exhibition and accompanying programs was provided by the Stackner Family Endowment Fund and Wisconsin Arts Board, with funds from the State of Wisconsin and the National Endowment for the Arts.