Emperor Meiji and His Consort in the Plum Garden Possibly 1887

Editor: Here we have Kobayashi Kiyochika's *Emperor Meiji and His Consort in the Plum Garden*, a vertical triptych. The figures are so meticulously detailed! What's your take on this piece? Curator: Kiyochika, the "last ukiyo-e master," captures a fascinating moment, doesn't he? It's a blend of Japanese tradition and Western influence, much like the Meiji era itself. Imagine Kiyochika, sketching in the fleeting gaslight, capturing not just an image, but a feeling, a whole new era. Editor: It's like a cultural snapshot. Curator: Exactly! The plum blossoms hint at renewal, while the Western clothing speaks of modernization. What do you think about that juxtaposition? Editor: It’s such a complex image of transition, a beautiful blend of old and new. Thanks, I see so much more now.