Cherry Blossoms in the Yoshiwara (Yoshiwara sakura no zu), from the series Famous Places in Edo (Kōto meisho) c. 20th century

Editor: Here we have Utagawa Hiroshige's "Cherry Blossoms in the Yoshiwara" from his "Famous Places in Edo" series. The figures are really wonderful, and the buildings have such great character, but overall it feels muted to me. How do you interpret this work? Curator: Muted, yes, but isn't that part of its charm? The print whispers of fleeting beauty and pleasure, like a memory. Hiroshige captures the Yoshiwara not as a place of pure decadence, but of everyday life tinged with transience, doesn't he? Editor: That's a lovely way to put it! I was so focused on the subdued palette, I missed that. Curator: It's easy to do! The key is in the balance: the ephemeral cherry blossoms against the solid architecture, the fleeting encounters within the established structures. Editor: I see, it’s a whole world in balance. Thanks for helping me see it! Curator: My pleasure! It's a reminder to find beauty in the ordinary, don't you think?