Couple with a Pet Mouse c. 1768 - 1769

Editor: This is “Couple with a Pet Mouse,” a woodblock print by Suzuki Harunobu, dating from around 1768 or 1769. It has a gentle, domestic feel. What social dynamics might it be reflecting? Curator: Precisely. We have two women in what appears to be a private space, focused on something small and intimate—a mouse. How does this image speak to the role of women in Edo period Japan, and the confines – or freedoms – of their domestic lives? Consider the visual elements. Editor: Well, their clothing seems very elaborate, suggesting a certain level of wealth. And the way they’re both gazing so intently at the mouse… it seems almost defiant. Curator: Defiant? In what way? Think about ukiyo-e as a genre. These "pictures of the floating world" often depicted the pleasure quarters and celebrity culture. But this is quieter, more nuanced. Is Harunobu perhaps suggesting a different kind of power dynamic through the women's shared interest and gaze? The mouse, a traditionally overlooked creature, becomes their point of connection and possibly even a symbol of their shared social position. What does that suggest about whose stories were deemed worthy of representation? Editor: That's a really interesting point. I hadn't considered the mouse as a symbol in that way. The focus isn't on grand narratives or famous figures but on this small, shared moment. Curator: Exactly. And in centering this shared moment, this artist offers us a window into a specific social context, hinting at broader narratives about gender, class and power operating at that time. Does this change your understanding of ukiyo-e at all? Editor: Definitely. I’ll rethink how to perceive the visual details within the social framework. Thank you! Curator: My pleasure! Looking closely unveils intricate societal layers, adding depth to its beauty.