13 Possibly 1855 - 1857

Editor: This is "13," a woodblock print, etching, and ink work possibly from between 1855 and 1857, by Utagawa Hiroshige, currently housed at the Minneapolis Institute of Art. It's quite serene. The blanket of snow over everything gives such a tranquil mood, doesn't it? What particularly strikes you about it? Curator: The sheer beauty! Hiroshige captures the stillness of winter, that hush that falls over everything when snow arrives. Look how he uses color—the blues of the sky and water against the stark white of the snow—to create a sense of depth. Notice Mount Fuji in the distance; what does that suggest to you about the location of the village? Editor: Well, it definitely says "Japan," doesn't it? It makes me wonder about the people crossing the bridge. It feels almost voyeuristic to glimpse them. Curator: Precisely! The Ukiyo-e movement was about capturing these ephemeral moments of daily life. I wonder, are those travellers simply going about their daily business or do you think their journey takes on a symbolic quality against that stark landscape? Editor: Symbolic… maybe they're representative of perseverance or resilience against a harsh landscape? Or the persistence of humanity regardless of the cold and silence of winter? Curator: Beautifully put! That kind of quiet dignity is often found in traditional Japanese art, wouldn't you agree? There’s a respect for nature that's intertwined with the human experience. Editor: Definitely, it is the harmony of humans and nature, as opposed to our contemporary conflict with the environment. It makes you think about the everyday and the spiritual all at once. Curator: Yes! I am grateful to remember such beauty amidst a fast world; what about you? Editor: Totally. I'm glad to consider the details! These conversations change the way I see, so thank you!