Yugao c. 1810 - 1830

Curator: Today, we are looking at “Yugao,” a woodblock print crafted by Kikugawa Eizan, sometime between 1810 and 1830. It’s currently housed in the Rijksmuseum collection. Editor: My first impression is a quiet, slightly melancholy elegance. The soft, faded colors lend a dreamlike quality. The attention to line, especially in the drapery, really highlights the artistry. Curator: Ukiyo-e, “pictures of the floating world”, often capture fleeting moments of pleasure and beauty. The print embodies this with its delicate portrayal of a woman in luxurious attire, seemingly lost in thought, juxtaposed with images from 'The Tale of Genji'. Note how the narrative threads weave in. Editor: The labor invested in creating this is considerable, and often unacknowledged: the carving of the woodblocks, the precision in applying the pigments layer by layer to achieve this subtle depth... Look at the quality of the paper, its likely source, and how that reflects the consumer culture of the time. Curator: Absolutely, the ephemeral nature of beauty becomes even more poignant when you understand the labor. In this case, the Yugao chapter carries connotations of lost love and transience, echoing the cultural importance of impermanence in Edo-period Japan. Editor: I am drawn to the interplay of textures and the almost diagrammatic depiction of kimono fabric; a contrast in patterns with each of their construction methods speaks to the fashion economy supporting such artistic production. It reminds me of other art from the era showing off wealth. Curator: It's fascinating how the artistic choices reflect a carefully curated aesthetic and cultural memory that emphasizes transient emotions associated with 'mono no aware', or the pathos of things. I perceive layers within layers of psychological undertones embedded through its visual language. Editor: Exactly. So, thinking about materiality in a broader sense, it connects us to the social world and economics behind it – and perhaps gives even deeper poignancy of that theme of transience. Curator: Thank you, that brings an enriched layer. These interwoven interpretations create deeper appreciation for this intriguing piece. Editor: Agreed; analyzing its materiality adds complexity. A great example to ponder at length and one that offers us a window to the past and also informs our own present.