Het leven in Japan 1881

This print, titled 'Het leven in Japan' or 'Life in Japan', was made by De Ruyter & Meijer, though the date is unknown. It presents a series of vignettes offering a glimpse into Japanese life. The print visualizes Japan through the lens of Western perception and cultural understanding, with each scene depicting a different aspect of Japanese society, from the mundane to the more exotic. Consider the composition, color palette, and attention to detail – each contributing to the construction of a narrative about Japan for a Western audience. It seems likely that this artwork was made in the late 19th century, a period when Japanese society was undergoing major changes that followed the Meiji Restoration. These changes opened up Japan to foreign influence, and created fascination and an influx of imagery of Japan. As historians, we look at the visual codes and cultural references within such images. We can examine period sources such as travelogues, journalistic accounts, and other visual representations of Japan to better understand it. This can provide a clearer picture of how this particular image fits into the broader context of cultural exchange and representation.