View at Mishima c. 1833

Curator: Just look at this 1833 woodblock print, "View at Mishima," by Utagawa Kunisada. It's currently housed here at the Minneapolis Institute of Art. What's your immediate take? Editor: A melancholic dreaminess washes over me. The tones are muted, save for that vibrant kimono. Is she waiting for someone? Curator: Indeed. Her kimono is quite telling, isn’t it? Notice the floral patterns; peonies symbolize wealth and honor, chrysanthemums represent longevity. Her very garment broadcasts a powerful message of her status. She also might be an actor dressing for her part on stage. Editor: Interesting to think about how clothes operate. This image seems like the intersection of performance and craft. I imagine the process of creating this print – the carving of the woodblocks, layering the inks. Each impression demanding so much skill. Was there a mass consumption of images like these at this time? Curator: Yes, this print, like many ukiyo-e works, circulated widely. They served as a popular form of entertainment and a window into the lives of both the elite and everyday citizens. You will notice other travelers. These images reflected and shaped cultural ideals. Mishima on the Tokaido Road between Kyoto and Edo would have been bustling! Editor: That torii gate back there adds to the symbolic layering too. It signifies the transition from the mundane to the sacred, framing the scene and injecting it with spiritual significance. It brings together the image’s disparate pieces into a complex unity of beauty and commerce. Curator: Absolutely. Kunisada masterfully captures not only the literal landscape but also the emotional and spiritual atmosphere of the scene, wouldn't you agree? This particular spot was famous for beautiful women in a specific play, in this scene the artist presents the viewer with the central role and figure to focus their attention. Editor: I'll never see this work the same way again. Seeing this labor manifested, imagining its audience, and tracing the threads of performance adds immeasurable depth. Thank you. Curator: The pleasure was all mine. It is amazing what we discover together.