SMALL SERIES OF THE 53 STATIONS OF THE TOKAIDO. c. 19th century

Curator: This is a woodblock print by Utagawa Hiroshige, part of his "Small Series of the 53 Stations of the Tokaido," now residing at the Harvard Art Museums. There’s a stillness to it, despite the boats on the water. Editor: It almost feels like a snapshot of a pivotal economic moment, doesn't it? The Tokaido Road was the lifeblood of commerce and culture; these boats are part of that network. Curator: Absolutely. The repetition of the sails – the stark, curved shapes – echoes a spiritual journey. Water is so often a symbol for emotional transition and cleansing. Editor: And let’s not forget who’s often missing from these visual records. Who were the sailors, the travelers? What were their stories and their identities beyond commerce? Curator: That absence invites us to imagine, to fill in the gaps of history with our own reflections. Editor: It reminds us that even supposedly objective records are deeply subjective. Curator: Precisely. Every symbol carries multiple layers of meaning. Editor: Food for thought.