THIRTY-SIX VIEWS OF FUJI, "MOTOGUCHIDORI" c. 19th century

Editor: So, this is "Motoguchidori" from the series *Thirty-six Views of Fuji* by Utagawa Hiroshige II. The woodblock print feels very grounded, almost like a stage. What do you see in this piece, considering its cultural context? Curator: I see a careful negotiation of nature and artifice, deeply ingrained in Japanese aesthetics. The manicured trees, propped up for ideal viewing, speak to a desire to control and perfect nature. How does this relate to broader power structures within the culture? Editor: That's interesting, I hadn't thought about the power dynamics at play in shaping nature! Curator: Think about who had the resources to manipulate landscapes in this way and whose vision of beauty was being imposed. Editor: It’s almost like those trees are symbols of social expectations. Curator: Precisely. The print becomes a commentary on societal pressures and the performance of identity. Editor: I'll never look at landscape prints the same way again!