1: How Japanese people look at Utamaros painting (detail)
Japanese look from right to left
First they see the peony flowers on the upper right. Then the head of the woman and then her body. Then they read the text top down from right to left. The text first mentions the flowers and then the woman.
Classical Chinese, Japanese and Korean texts are written from right to left. A strong habit of looking at everything from right to left has formed.
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2: Westerners look in the other direction - wrong for Japanese art
Westeners look from left to right
Westeners must look though a mirror to see with Japanese eyes:

As Westerners, we see now a totally different picture. Since 25 years this picture is in our bedroom. I am shocked. Now I have the original and a mirrored printout.
The printout is the stronger and better work of art. It has more visual drama. Instead of sweet subordination, the woman shows some aggressiveness.
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