Shimotsuke Province, Mount Nikkō, Urami Waterfall (Shimotsuke, Nikkōsan, Urami no taki), from the series Famous Places in the Sixty-odd Provinces [of Japan] ([Dai Nihon] RokujÅ«yoshÅ« meisho zue) Possibly 1853 - 1858

Editor: This woodblock print, "Shimotsuke Province, Mount Nikko, Urami Waterfall" by Utagawa Hiroshige, is striking. The colors are so vibrant! What do you see in this piece? Curator: I see a romanticized view of nature, reflecting the growing interest in landscape and travel among the merchant classes of the Edo period. These prints democratized access to famous sites. Notice how the figures are dwarfed by the waterfall. How do you think that impacts the viewer's experience? Editor: I think it emphasizes the power of nature and makes the viewer feel small. Curator: Precisely! The print serves as both a souvenir and a testament to nature's sublime power, shaped by artistic license and the market's demands for scenic views. Editor: It’s amazing how much history is embedded within this seemingly simple landscape.