The Bullock Cart 1839

Katsushika Hokusai created this woodblock print called "The Bullock Cart", now housed in the Brooklyn Museum. The image offers a glimpse into the closed world of the Japanese aristocracy. Made during the Edo period, this print depicts a lavishly decorated ox-drawn cart, a symbol of wealth and status. It tells us about the rigid social hierarchy of the time. The presence of armed samurai attending the cart emphasizes the power and authority of the person traveling inside it. The falling maple leaves add seasonal context, but the overall impression is one of solemn formality. Hokusai’s print subtly critiques the detached lifestyle of the upper class. These elite members of Japanese society were often isolated from the realities of the common people. Historical sources, such as records from the Shogunate or the writings of contemporary observers, can reveal more about the socio-economic conditions of the time and the public perception of the ruling class. This artwork encourages us to question how social structures shape our lives.