Filial Son in Musashi (Musashi no kōshi: ShasekishÅ«), from the series Twenty-Four Japanese Paragons of Filial Piety for the Honchō Circle (Honchōren honchō nijÅ«shikō), with poems by Chiyodaan Matsutsuru and KafÅ«tei _ _ c. 1821 - 1822

Editor: This woodblock print, "Filial Son in Musashi," is by Yashima Gakutei, part of a series about filial piety. The subjects appear to be in a serene domestic space, but there's an odd tension with the turbulent wave depicted on the screen behind them. What's your take? Curator: It's interesting how Gakutei uses this juxtaposition. The series elevates traditional Confucian values within the Honchō circle, but the wave hints at the social unrest brewing during the late Edo period. How does this contrast inform your understanding of duty versus individual agency? Editor: That's a great point! The wave could represent the overwhelming forces challenging the status quo. The figures, trapped between tradition and change, trying to maintain their values, even as society shifts. Curator: Exactly! And considering Gakutei's own artistic rebellion, the print might be a subtle commentary on the complexities of living up to societal expectations in a time of upheaval. It's a powerful statement, isn't it?