from the illustrated book "Kachō gaden" 

Editor: This is a woodblock print from the illustrated book "Kacho Gaden" by Katsushika Taito II. The contrast between the dark and light birds is striking. What do you make of this composition? Curator: The interplay between light and dark birds can be seen as a commentary on social hierarchies within the Edo period. Consider the symbolism of birds in Japanese art; they often represent freedom or conversely, confinement. How might these ideas interact with the socio-political context of the time? Editor: That's a really interesting idea; I hadn't thought about the social commentary. Curator: It is fascinating how art can reflect the social issues of an era, isn't it? Editor: It is! It gives me a new perspective on art and its role in society.