Art in the library – Galiano

Artist – Tad Suzuki (curator)

What were women’s lives like in the pre-modern, feudal Japan? Indeed, they had diverse works and professions (beyond “geisha”!) during the Edo period (1603-1868) under the samurai rule. Women’s professions and everyday lives were widely depicted in the illustrations of various block-print books and prints from the era. This cabinet display features some of the rare illustrated books and prints, collected and curated by Galiano artist and book collector Tad Suzuki, showing working women in various industries, portraits, and street and domestic scenes. The publications range from quick-stroke sketches to elaborate and colourful portraits from the era. You may find it interesting how people from such different places in time and space as Edo Japan conducted everyday life so differently from us today, yet in some respects, so similar to us. Also on display are examples of textbooks used for women’s education and professional directories in which women were listed among specialists (instructors, artists, calligraphers, etc.). The exhibit runs from January 2 through March 2, 2025.

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