Ryôgoku; Fireworks at Ryôgoku 1858

Utagawa Hiroshige created this woodblock print, Ryôgoku; Fireworks at Ryôgoku, during the Edo period in Japan, a time marked by relative peace and flourishing arts. It depicts a summer evening scene of the Ryôgoku Bridge, a vital social space in Edo, now Tokyo, teeming with people enjoying a fireworks display. In this piece, class distinctions subtly play out. People gather on the bridge, while others view the spectacle from boats on the Sumida River. These boats may have been accessible to wealthier merchants and elites. The fireworks themselves were more than just entertainment; they were tied to traditions aimed at warding off evil spirits and commemorating the dead, highlighting the intersection of spirituality and community life. Hiroshige's masterful use of color and composition invites us to reflect on our own experiences of communal celebration. Does this depiction of collective joy resonate with our own cultural practices, and how do they reflect our shared humanity?