Mother Teaching her Daughter Calligraphy, from the series, "Twelve Occupations of Women, Kitagawa Utamaro"

Mother Teaching her Daughter Calligraphy from the series "Twelve Occupations of Women", 1798, Kitagawa Utamaro (1753?-1806), Color woodblock print on paper, 38.8 x 25.2 cm

This print shows a mother holding a calligraphy brush with her daughter, instructing her in calligraphy. This not only shows a mother and daughter relationship, but a way that women may have had access to education and which fields they could pursue. The series title Twelve Occupations of Women is illuminating in this way. The title could be some examples or many, or be giving us insight into the limitations on women perceived by the artist. It is also worth noting that these women seem to be of a higher class due to their dress and pursuit of education and access to materials. This begs the question, how were career choices limited for women of differing classes? What social systems determined this in their time?