THIRTY-SIX VIEWS OF YEDO, "SUSAKI SHIOHIGARI" Possibly 1862

Curator: Utagawa Hiroshige II presents "Susaki Shiohigari" from his Thirty-Six Views of Yedo series. The composition is striking. Editor: Yes, that immediate contrast between the muted tones of the shore and the vibrant colors of the figures is instantly arresting. It seems to highlight the communal labor of the clam diggers. Curator: The interplay of form and line creates visual harmony, especially in the rhythmic arrangement of the figures on the shore. Note also the flag and its placement. Editor: Flags such as this one also appear in other ukiyo-e prints, often flown to encourage trade, or promote businesses. The production process seems to suggest a commercial context. Curator: Interesting! Perhaps we could view the work as a semiotic game – its flattened picture plane. Editor: The prints use the shared labor of clam digging and a trade sign to generate meaning through production and consumption. Curator: A stimulating divergence. The series, considered as a whole, truly transcends individual interpretation. Editor: Agreed, and by looking at the materiality alongside the composition, we gain a richer understanding.