Lecture at the Meiji Meeting Hall c. 1880

Editor: This is Adachi Ginkō’s "Lecture at the Meiji Meeting Hall," a woodblock print triptych. It's so detailed! I'm struck by how this image captures a sense of intellectual excitement. What historical context am I missing here? Curator: Well, imagine a nation rapidly modernizing. This print depicts the Meiji era, a transformative period in Japan. Ginkō, with his playful style, captured the energy and optimism of a society embracing Western ideas. Don't you feel that contrast between tradition and modernity in the clothing and architecture? Editor: Absolutely. The Western-style hall filled with people in kimonos—it's a real mix! I guess I was seeing the enthusiasm, but not necessarily understanding its roots in this clash of cultures. Curator: Precisely! It’s a visual record of a nation finding its new voice. And perhaps a reminder that progress always involves a bit of creative collision. Editor: A collision, yes! It makes me see the image with fresh eyes, like it's about navigating the future, not just documenting the present. Thanks.