Land of the Pygmies (Kojin koku) Possibly 1863

Curator: This is Tsukioka Yoshitoshi’s "Land of the Pygmies," a woodblock print held here at the Harvard Art Museums. It’s a piece that really plays with scale and perception. Editor: It definitely has a quirky, almost unsettling vibe. The giant European figure looming over these tiny figures… it's both comical and a little menacing. Curator: Exactly. Yoshitoshi created this during a time of intense Western influence in Japan. It reflects anxieties about cultural dominance and the unknown. Look at the inclusion of palm prints, adding another layer to the narrative. Editor: Yes, I see what you mean. The handprints almost feel like a record, a document of contact, perhaps? Curator: Precisely. And the "pygmies" are engaging with the giant in different ways – one reaching up, another seemingly trying to restrain him. Editor: Yoshitoshi's use of color is also striking here, particularly the bold green of the giant's coat. It really makes him pop against the more muted background. Curator: It’s a complex image, packed with social commentary. Hopefully, looking at it differently can lead to a greater understanding. Editor: I agree, that helps show how the artist's personal anxieties have resonated with us.