Miishoho-ji, from the series Eight Views of Lake Biwa (ōmi hakkei) in fan (uchiwa) shape Possibly 1852

Curator: Here we have Utagawa Hiroshige's woodblock print, "Miishoho-ji, from the series Eight Views of Lake Biwa" presented in a fan shape. Editor: The flatness is striking, almost decorative, but the layering of blues and greens gives it depth. And I'm curious about the paper itself. Curator: The fan shape, called uchiwa-e, allowed these prints to circulate widely, influencing popular taste and the perception of scenic spots like Lake Biwa. It's as much about distribution as depiction. Editor: I see the labor in its production and reproduction. Woodblock printing meant collaborative craftsmanship, and the fan shape speaks to its everyday use. Not just art, but an object. Curator: Precisely. Hiroshige helped codify these picturesque views. It's interesting how this print both reflects and constructs ideas of beauty and tourism. Editor: Well, beyond the picturesque, the materiality is key—the wood, the ink, the hands that shaped it. It’s a lovely reminder of the process behind the image.