Illustrated Book of Filial Piety 1813

Editor: So, this is a page from Keisai's "Illustrated Book of Filial Piety," dating back to 1813, done with ink on paper. It seems to depict scenes from everyday life, perhaps agricultural, but in very simple, stark strokes. What stands out to you most about this work? Curator: I’m drawn to the way the artist uses the simplicity of ink to portray complex societal structures. Notice how labor is represented here—the agricultural work, the structures. The artist isn't just illustrating a landscape; they're documenting a mode of production. Editor: I see what you mean. It's not just about the aesthetics, but about showing the materials and means of survival. Does the concept of "filial piety" influence that? Curator: Absolutely. Filial piety in this context dictates a system of obligation. These drawings subtly reveal the resources—land, tools, and the physical exertion itself—that sustain this social order. Think about the paper it's drawn on. How was that manufactured, by whom? This book embodies consumption on multiple levels, and speaks volumes about both making and societal value. Editor: That shifts my perspective entirely! So instead of just a quaint historical drawing, it's kind of a snapshot of 19th-century Japanese societal norms, viewed through its material footprint. Curator: Precisely. And consider who was likely to possess and read this book. It’s not merely about honoring one's parents; it reinforces existing social hierarchies. The artist, even through the act of illustration, participates in and comments on the circulation of these values. Editor: Wow, I’m going to look at ukiyo-e in a whole new light now. I see it's a really revealing piece about materials and labor as fundamental building blocks for understanding historical concepts. Curator: Indeed, every brushstroke and sheet carries material and cultural significance.