NOJIMA YUSHO, from the series Eight Views of Kanazawa (Kanazawa hakkei) c. 19th century

Curator: What a serene scene. The cool blues and greens really set a peaceful mood. Editor: Indeed. This is "NOJIMA YUSHO, from the series Eight Views of Kanazawa (Kanazawa hakkei)," by Utagawa Hiroshige. Hiroshige, born in 1797, crafted this woodblock print which highlights the local fishing industry. Curator: The composition is striking, how the thatched roofs huddle at the foot of that imposing cliff. Did they use specific pigments to get those shades? Editor: Precisely. Hiroshige employed the ukiyo-e technique, where artisan-carved woodblocks transfer ink onto paper. The labor of the artisans is as much the artwork as Hiroshige's design. Curator: It certainly makes you think about the society and economy that produced this image. Editor: Right. By understanding the socio-economic elements, we gain insight into the values and priorities of the people who manufactured and consumed them. Curator: The perspective and choice of color offer a tranquil escape. Editor: I find Hiroshige's strategic rendering of labor and the landscape especially poignant.