喜多川歌麿画 「婦女人相十品」 日傘を差す女|“Woman Holding Up a Parasol” from the series Ten Classes of Women’s Physiognomy (Fujo ninsō juppen: Higasa o sasu onna)

Executed in ink and color on paper, the print demonstrates Utamara’s meticulous attention to detail, evident in the layered folds of the fan and the bold black‑and‑white stripes of the parasol, which are accented with gold lettering along the edge. The delicate line work and subtle coloration are characteristic of his portrait prints.

The print belongs to the Ten Classes of Women’s Physiognomy series, a set that catalogued various female archetypes through portraiture. It entered the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s collection in the 20th century, where it remains on display as a representative example of Utamara’s work.

During the late 18th century, ukiyo‑e artists like Utamara focused on bijin-ga, images of beautiful women, shifting from idealised forms to more individualized depictions. This print reflects that trend, offering a close observation of fashion, accessories, and posture that convey the subject’s social role.