Fond of Children (Kodomo-zuki), from the series Eight Views of Favorite Things of Today (Tosei kobutsu hakkei) c. 1801 - 1802

Curator: Kitagawa Utamaro's "Fond of Children," from the series "Eight Views of Favorite Things of Today," presents a scene of intimate affection rendered with delicate lines. Editor: There's such serenity in their expressions, a quiet tenderness that speaks volumes. Curator: Utamaro masterfully uses the fan and kimono patterns as symbolic veils, hinting at the complex social position of women and mothers in the Late Edo period. Editor: Right, motherhood, then as now, was often idealized, but it's crucial to acknowledge its realities: the constraints, expectations, and power dynamics. Curator: And the child's placement, clinging to the woman's back, mirrors ancient depictions of devotion and protection found across cultures. Editor: Absolutely, it speaks to that primal bond, yet framed within a specific cultural context that shaped women's roles. Curator: It's a beautiful, poignant reflection on an idealized maternal bond. Editor: Agreed. This print invites us to reflect on enduring symbols of care and the social frameworks that define them.