Autumn Moon at Seto (Seto shÅ«getsu), from the series Eight Views of Kanazawa (Kanazawa hakkei) c. 20th century

Editor: This woodblock print is "Autumn Moon at Seto," by Utagawa Hiroshige, from his "Eight Views of Kanazawa" series. It’s so blue! It feels like a dream. What stands out to you about this work? Curator: Well, Hiroshige was masterful at capturing landscapes, but it’s crucial to understand that these prints were also commodities. How did the "Eight Views" format, popularized in China, serve the rising merchant class in Edo-period Japan? They craved picturesque scenes, didn't they? Editor: So, it's like a postcard for the rising middle class? Curator: Precisely! The "Eight Views" became a brand, a way to sell idealized versions of local landscapes, catering to a desire for beauty and a sense of place. Editor: I never thought about art as a commodity like that. Very insightful. Curator: The intersection of art and its socio-economic role adds another layer of understanding and appreciation.