Nihon Embankment, Yoshiwara (Yoshiwara Nihonzutsumi), Number 100 from the series One Hundred Famous Views of Edo (Meisho Edo hyakkei) Possibly 1857

Editor: Here we have Utagawa Hiroshige's "Nihon Embankment, Yoshiwara," a woodblock print from his "One Hundred Famous Views of Edo" series. The striking yellow of the structures contrasts with the muted sky. What can you tell me about it? Curator: Notice the labor involved; each yellow form necessitates human effort. These are not simply aesthetic elements, but representations of material production and the social hierarchy that necessitates such labor. What might these structures contain, and who benefits from their transport? Editor: I hadn't considered the social implications of their movement. Perhaps these structures house goods destined for the Yoshiwara district? Curator: Precisely. This image isn't just a picturesque view; it's a visual record of Edo's economy and the flow of goods within its pleasure district. This was quite enlightening!