A Parody on the Hermit Ch'ao-fu c. mid to late 19th century

Editor: This is "A Parody on the Hermit Ch'ao-fu," a woodblock print with ink from the mid to late 19th century by Utagawa Sadakage. The figure being pulled by a cow really makes me smile! It seems so silly, almost cartoonish. What do you make of this work? Curator: That immediate reaction to the humor is a great entry point! Notice how the artist invokes the story of the hermit Ch'ao-fu, but with a modern twist. Do you see any visual cues suggesting the artist is updating the old tale? Editor: I see that the figure is wearing patterned clothes that might be fashionable. The rope harness on the ox is very intricate. But why parody a hermit? Curator: The humor probably lies in contrasting the historical veneration of simplicity, embodied by the hermit, with contemporary life's increasing complexities. Ch'ao-fu was known for his extreme purity; the legend says he refused to drink water touched by worldly concerns! Think about that…what statement do you think Sadakage is trying to make by taking this noble and revered archetype and creating this funny image of him? Editor: It feels like maybe it’s poking fun at the idea of completely isolating oneself. Showing that even hermits, maybe, are tied to some worldly needs represented by the cow. Curator: Precisely! It underscores the cultural memory of Ch'ao-fu while commenting on present values and challenges. The visual symbols, when read with that historical context, highlight a continuous conversation about the good life. Editor: I didn't think about the social commentary the artist could be making by connecting historical and present times. Curator: It's amazing how images can hold so much emotional and intellectual weight. That cultural memory gets activated by the simplest line, doesn’t it? Editor: Definitely! Now I see a historical tale made funny to reflect societal values. Thanks for that shift in perspective.