TOKAIDO GOJU-SAN-TSUGI c. 19th century

Editor: This print, "Tokaido Goju-san-tsugi" by Utagawa Hiroshige, depicts a landscape with travelers. The steep, stylized mountains give the scene a sense of dramatic scale, but I wonder, what’s the historical context that shaped its imagery? Curator: Hiroshige's print belongs to a tradition of landscape prints that became incredibly popular as travel opened up in Japan. How do you think the depiction of the Tokaido Road, a vital artery for commerce and culture, might have influenced its reception by the public? Editor: It probably made it relatable, an image of their world. So the art reflects a changing society? Curator: Precisely! These prints weren't just pretty pictures; they were a visual record of a society in motion, and the public’s engagement with a shared journey. Editor: That makes me see it differently. It's not just scenery; it's about people and change.