Moon Pine, Ueno (Ueno sannai Tsuki no matsu), from the series One Hundred Famous Views of Edo (Meisho Edo hyakkei) Possibly 1857

Editor: Hiroshige's "Moon Pine, Ueno," part of his "One Hundred Famous Views of Edo," uses such incredible lines. I am drawn to the materiality and wonder, how did Hiroshige create this print? Curator: The woodblock printing process is central here. The labor involved—carving, inking, and printing—highlights the means of production. Consider the consumption of these prints; they were relatively inexpensive and widely circulated. Editor: That makes sense. So, its wide circulation challenges the traditional boundaries of high art? Curator: Precisely. It invites us to consider the social context and the role of these images within Edo society, moving beyond purely aesthetic appreciation. Editor: That's a great perspective to consider. Thanks!