One Hundred Women Classified According to Their Rank - Nishikawa Sukenobu

A woodblock print from the 1723 series 'One Hundred Women Classified According to Their Rank' by Nishikawa Sukenobu, depicting figures in a traditional setting.

This woodblock print originates from the illustrated book 'Hyakunin joro shinasadame', or 'One Hundred Women Classified According to Their Rank', published in 1723. Nishikawa Sukenobu, a prominent artist of the Kyoto school, produced this work during the middle period of the Edo era. The composition features a group of women depicted in a naturalistic setting, framed by the drooping branches of a willow tree. The figures are rendered with fine, fluid lines, characteristic of Sukenobu's approach to the human form.

The scene captures a moment of social interaction, with the women dressed in varied kimono patterns that reflect the fashion of the time. The artist employs a balanced arrangement, placing the figures across the two pages of the book spread. The architectural element of a small bridge or gate on the right provides a sense of spatial depth, while the soft, calligraphic strokes define the textures of the clothing and the surrounding foliage.

Sukenobu was known for his prolific output of book illustrations, which helped popularise the Ukiyo-e style beyond the urban centres of Edo. His work often focused on the daily lives and social hierarchies of women, providing a visual record of contemporary customs. This print demonstrates his ability to integrate figures into a coherent narrative space, using minimal shading to maintain the clarity of the line work. The paper shows the natural ageing of an eighteenth-century publication, with the monochrome ink retaining its original definition. This piece offers a glimpse into the aesthetic values of the period, where the focus remained on the grace of the subject and the precision of the woodblock carving process.