Planting Rice c. 1815 - 1820

This woodblock print called ‘Planting Rice’ was made by Katsushika Hokusai, sometime in the late 18th or early 19th century. It provides a snapshot into the agricultural practices and social dynamics of rural Japan during the Edo period. The image presents a view of rice cultivation, a staple of the Japanese economy, through the depiction of workers in a field. The presence of elegantly dressed figures alongside the laborers introduces a theme of class distinction. The composition invites questions about the relationship between labor and leisure, and about how roles were divided in Japanese society at this time. To understand this work more fully, one might look into the history of rice farming in Japan, the class structure of the Edo period, and the ways in which Japanese art both reflected and shaped social norms. By situating the work in its historical context, we can gain insight into the complex interplay of social forces that shaped its creation.