Twenty-four Japanese examples of filial piety for the Honchôren c. 1821

Editor: This is "Twenty-four Japanese Examples of Filial Piety for the Honchoren" by Yashima Gakutei, circa 1821, a woodblock print in ink. There’s a theatrical, almost burdened quality to the figures depicted. What catches your eye when you look at this work? Curator: Immediately, I’m struck by how this seemingly straightforward illustration of filial piety operates within a complex web of social and political implications. Consider the context: 19th-century Japan, where socio-economic structures are in flux and artistic expression is often subtly coded with commentary. Editor: Can you elaborate on that coding? Curator: The figures themselves, seemingly warriors bearing heavy burdens, visually represent the weight of filial duty. But let's ask, who defines this duty? The ruling class, undoubtedly. What message is conveyed through the warrior’s representation? We are really looking at propaganda for control disguised as virtue. It invites critical engagement with notions of tradition and power. Notice their faces, are they willing? Are they proud? How does the text inform your reading? Editor: That’s fascinating, I hadn’t considered the propaganda angle. I was focusing more on the apparent struggle. Curator: Exactly! By unpacking these layers, we move beyond a superficial understanding of “filial piety” and interrogate the power dynamics embedded within this cultural narrative. The artist compels us to think more critically about those supposedly straightforward values. Editor: I am going to remember that. I really thought the picture was all about filial duty, but the role of politics and society and how that impacts the picture, gives a whole new understanding.