Passengers Disembarking Boat on the Way to Ōji Shrine (Ōji no michi) Edo period,

Editor: So, this is "Passengers Disembarking Boat on the Way to Ōji Shrine" by Hokusai. The print shows a peaceful scene. What social narratives do you see at play here? Curator: Well, beyond the surface tranquility, consider who has access to pilgrimage. Notice the figures' attire - likely members of a privileged class. How does this contrast with the realities of Edo-period society, and who is excluded from this picture? Editor: That's a good point. I hadn't really thought about the class dynamics. Curator: Exactly! It’s a window into a specific experience, shaped by social hierarchies. Thinking about art in terms of who gets to be represented, and why, opens up really crucial discussions. Editor: I will definitely look at art in a more intersectional way moving forward. Thanks! Curator: My pleasure. It’s about seeing art as part of a larger conversation about power, identity, and representation.