Details

As this beauty prepares herself one might wonder how her day will unfold, as she is no regular beauty but a moga, or a modern, liberalized woman. Moga, shortened for modan garu, or modern girls, were known for their highly individualistic sense of style and independence. From the 1920s into the 1930s women began asserting themselves beyond the traditional strict gender roles. Younger women parted ways with their parents and moved into larger cities, such as Tokyo, eager to work and support their independent lifestyle. These moga were often seen sporting a bob haircut or long hair fashioned into a knot at the nape of the neck that would mimic the bob, as is the case with this design. Print artists were inspired to depict these moga for their independent lifestyle style and their keen fashion sense. Some print designs explored the decadence of newly found freedom, illustrating moga dancing, smoking, and drinking the night away. In this design, Takahashi Hiroaki has elected to show us the beginning of this beauty’s day. What will the day hold? A better question may be what will the evening bring? Who knows, as the erotic jazz tones beckon and the moga roam the night’s smoke-filled dance halls?

Connoisseur's Note

This very fine impression is in an excellent state of preservation. The print’s colors are fresh and vivid. The piece features embossing along the contours of the subject’s body, adding a sensual quality. The striking barren marks in the background add interest and drama to the design, perhaps even anticipating those smoke-filled dance halls this moga may visit.