Woman with Umbrella

Along with prints of scenic landscapes in Japan, the Eight Views theme was also creatively reimagined in the popular print genre of bijinga 美人画, or “pictures of beautiful women.” Using the Edo-period idea of mitate 見立—a sophisticated form of visual refashioning—print designers created images that connected classical themes with contemporary urban life, and transformed the traditional scenic views into intimate portraits of women in everyday situations.

This adaptation demonstrated the wit and cultural literacy of both artists and viewers, who could appreciate the clever parallels between classical Chinese landscape themes and their modern reintepretations. The technique allowed artists to elevate contemporary urban subjects by linking them to revered cultural traditions, while simultaneously making classical themes more accessible to Edo audiences.