Sixth Month c. 1835 - 1836

Utagawa Kunisada made this woodblock print, titled "Sixth Month," sometime in the mid-19th century. It offers us a window into the social dynamics of Japan during the Edo period. The print captures a lively scene by a river, with people crossing a bridge and others engaged in various activities on boats. What strikes me is the contrast between the composed figures in the boat being rowed under the bridge, and the chaotic scene in the foreground of the struggling swimmers being hauled out of the river and back into the boat. It speaks to the range of social experiences, from the tranquil to the turbulent. Kunisada's work reflects a society that was deeply stratified. The figures on the bridge, likely belonging to a higher social class, contrast sharply with those struggling in the water below. Consider how such images were consumed and understood during a time of rigid social hierarchies. It's a fascinating interplay of observation and implicit social commentary.