83. Shinagawa Susaki 1857

Curator: Immediately, the serene, watery blues strike me. It's calming, like stepping into a peaceful memory. Editor: This is "Shinagawa Susaki," a woodblock print created by Utagawa Hiroshige in 1857, part of his series "One Hundred Famous Views of Edo." Hiroshige masterfully captured the spirit of ukiyo-e. Curator: Ah, Edo. Looking at it, I'm drawn to that tiny island with its cluster of trees and that miniature shrine—a sanctuary within a sanctuary, you might say. A profound symbolism around miniature architectural models are embedded across many cultures. Editor: Indeed. Islands often symbolize isolation, refuge, or a spiritual retreat. Notice how Hiroshige uses the soft gradations of color to suggest distance, creating a dream-like atmosphere. Birds migrating above adds layers of movement and directionality that might evoke contemplation about life changes. Curator: It is almost a sense of longing, with this horizon softly blurred... Were there well known meanings around some of the compositional or material choices? Editor: In terms of technique, it showcases Hiroshige’s mastery of perspective and the use of atmospheric effects, typical of ukiyo-e prints which found their ways to the West through the movement we now call Japonisme. The composition guides the eye from the foreground buildings, across the water dotted with sailboats, to the distant shoreline. And printmaking process gave opportunities for mass media communications that made them so pervasive. Curator: And it’s all rendered in such delicate detail. You can almost feel the stillness of the air, despite the activity suggested by the boats. I find the limited color palette contributes to this calming effect; perhaps with an intent of providing viewers some reflective innerness? Editor: Maybe a desire for escape into nature and tranquility, themes still resonate powerfully with us today? In his own quiet way, I think he was able to capture more than a scenic view – it offers the chance to ponder the simple gifts that connect our interiority with the outside world.