Evening Bell at Mii-dera (Mii bansho) c. 19th century

Curator: Here we have Utagawa Hiroshige’s "Evening Bell at Mii-dera," a woodblock print that captures a serene lakeside scene. Editor: The composition feels so carefully balanced. The water takes up a lot of the frame, almost mirroring the sky, creating this sense of calm and spaciousness. Curator: The Mii-dera temple was a significant cultural and religious site, often depicted in art and poetry. Hiroshige’s work helped solidify its place in the popular imagination. Editor: I am drawn to the subtle gradations of tone he achieves with the woodblock technique. It gives the landscape a soft, almost dreamlike quality. Curator: This print speaks to the deep connection the Japanese have with nature and their spiritual practices. Art like this was very popular with merchants and other city dwellers. Editor: True, and the simplification of forms really concentrates the essence of the scene. It is quite moving. Curator: Seeing the social context helps us understand why it resonated. Editor: And analyzing the formal elements reveals how that resonance was achieved!