Het nog niet geopende rood 1823

This print, titled "Het nog niet geopende rood," was created by Totoya Hokkei in Japan between 1810 and 1830, using woodblock printing techniques. Hokkei lived during the Edo period, a time marked by relative peace and flourishing arts, yet rigid social hierarchies. The print invites us into the intimate space of a scholar’s room, indicated by the low table, cushions and perhaps most poignantly, a distinctive black hat. Adjacent to this interior scene, a vertical panel displays delicate plum blossoms. The visual juxtaposition creates a sense of both nearness and distance, echoing the complex interplay between the private intellectual world and the broader natural and social environment. The calligraphy adds another layer, with poetic verses alluding to themes of beauty and transience, drawing us deeper into the emotional landscape of the scene. By merging interior and exterior spaces, Hokkei hints at the interconnectedness of personal reflection and the world outside, allowing us to reflect on how our identities are shaped by both.