A HUNDRED VIEWS OF FAMOUS PLACES IN THE VARIOUS PROVINCES, "MUSASHI; CHICHIBU SANCHU Possibly 1859

Editor: Here we have Utagawa Hiroshige II's woodblock print, "Musashi; Chichibu Sanchu," from the series *A Hundred Views of Famous Places in the Various Provinces*. It’s got a dreamlike quality with those vibrant greens. What's your take? Curator: This print reflects the late Edo period's growing interest in landscape as a symbol of national identity. Notice how the composition flattens perspective, emphasizing the surface and the decorative qualities. How do you think the commercialization of art through prints like these influenced the public's perception of nature? Editor: That's interesting, I hadn't thought about that. It makes you wonder how many people experienced these places only through art. Curator: Exactly! It’s a curated view, shaping both artistic trends and cultural values.