Horikiri Iris Garden (Horikiri no hanashōbu), from the series One Hundred Famous Views of Edo (Meisho Edo hyakkei) c. 1857

Editor: This is Utagawa Hiroshige's "Horikiri Iris Garden," from his series "One Hundred Famous Views of Edo." It's so striking, the way the irises dominate the foreground. What’s your take on the piece? Curator: This work exemplifies the rise of landscape prints as a form of mass media in 19th-century Japan. Hiroshige isn't just depicting a garden; he's shaping a view of Edo for public consumption. Notice how the low vantage point and the cropping emphasize the irises, framing a specific experience of the city. Editor: So, it's about more than just a pretty picture? Curator: Precisely. It's about constructing an idealized, consumable image of place that reflects the cultural values of the time. Hiroshige’s work helped define Edo for its inhabitants and for those beyond its borders. Editor: I never thought of it that way. It's amazing how an image can carry so much cultural weight. Curator: Indeed. Understanding the social context transforms our appreciation.