THE 53 STATIONS OF THE TOKAIDO "FUJISAWA" (STATION 7) c. 19th century

Curator: Here we have Utagawa Hiroshige’s "Fujisawa," station number seven from his series "The 53 Stations of the Tokaido." Editor: The immediacy of the scene is striking. The dark torii gate so close, the bridge bustling with travellers… it's as if we’ve just arrived. Curator: This print offers a glimpse into the socio-economic realities of travel along this crucial route. Consider the labor involved, the stories of those pilgrims and merchants. Editor: The woodblock process itself is fascinating. The layering of colors, the precision cutting—it’s a testament to the collaborative labor of the artist, block carver, and printer. Curator: Absolutely. And notice the subtle class differences reflected in the travelers' clothing and burdens. It's a commentary on the hierarchies inherent in Tokugawa society. Editor: Seeing the town nestled beneath that temple—it makes you think about the relationships between power, place, and the everyday lives of ordinary people. Curator: Indeed, a journey becomes a microcosm of the larger societal structures at play. Editor: Looking at the print today, it reminds us of the tangible connections between art, labor, and social experience.