Yui 1855

Editor: This is Utagawa Hiroshige's "Yui," a woodblock print from 1855. The landscape, especially that massive cliff and tiny figures, gives me a sense of the sublime, like nature is indifferent to human activity. How does this piece speak to you? Curator: As a historian, I immediately consider the context of ukiyo-e prints and their role in shaping perceptions of Japan during that period. These prints, mass-produced and relatively affordable, became a primary way for people, both domestic and foreign, to experience and consume landscape. Note how Hiroshige simplifies the landscape. How does that influence its cultural impact, do you think? Editor: I imagine that simplification made it accessible to a wider audience. Instead of photorealistic detail, there's a focus on mood and atmosphere that everyone can connect with. Curator: Precisely. Also consider the rising merchant class in Edo society who embraced this art form. They found value in imagery of landscapes like Yui, representing idealized travel and leisure experiences. And beyond accessibility, what about the political undertones of representing a specific place like Yui? Editor: Is it a statement of ownership, a promotion of national pride? Curator: Both, perhaps! Landscapes showcased the beauty of the nation and indirectly promoted a sense of unity and identity, something valuable in a time of social and political change. This work highlights both individual experience of journey and something of greater importance. Editor: I never considered landscape as potentially political. Thanks. Now I have a different lens to look through when visiting other landscapes from different eras. Curator: And I have new things to consider also!