Satsuma Fuku no Uri Buntoku Jitsuroku, from the series Twenty-Four Japanese Paragons of Filial Piety for the Honchō Circle (Honchōren honchō nijÅ«shikō) c. 1821 - 1822

Curator: Yashima Gakutei’s ukiyo-e print, "Satsuma Fuku no Uri Buntoku Jitsuroku," part of the "Twenty-Four Japanese Paragons of Filial Piety" series, feels intimate, doesn't it? Editor: Indeed, it does. The textures in the paper, the lines defining the figures' clothing, it all points to a culture deeply valuing craftsmanship and domestic life. Curator: Considering its circulation, these prints disseminated moral stories to a wider populace. The setting, with its tea and meticulously depicted tatami mats, emphasizes the everyday context of filial piety. Editor: And the portrayal of women here, ministering to elders, reveals the structured roles and expectations embedded within the family unit of the time. Curator: Right, the art serves a didactic purpose, but simultaneously, it's a window into the material culture of the Honcho Circle. Editor: Ultimately, this piece bridges the gap between artistic expression and the socio-cultural landscape of its era.