Suidō Bridge and Surugadai (Suidōbashi Surugadai), Number 48 from the series One Hundred Famous Views of Edo (Meisho Edo hyakkei) Possibly 1857

Editor: This is Utagawa Hiroshige's "Suidō Bridge and Surugadai," a woodblock print. The massive carp streamer dominating the foreground is so striking. What's your take on this, considering the production involved? Curator: Let's consider the labor and materials. Woodblock printing demanded skilled artisans to carve blocks and precisely apply pigments. This wasn't just art; it was a complex manufacturing process reflecting Edo-era society's values around craft and consumption. How does the scale influence your understanding of the printmaking process? Editor: It makes me think about the skill involved in carving such intricate details. It's not just about aesthetics, but also the labor and resources used. Curator: Precisely! The print’s value lies as much in its materiality and production as in its visual appeal. It makes you consider the economic and social forces behind its creation and circulation. Editor: It certainly gives me a new appreciation for the material and work that went into it!