Mono Iwa no Hana, from the series Comparing Three Flowers to the Three Nikko Monkeys c. 19th century

Editor: This is Yanagawa Shigenobu's print, "Mono Iwa no Hana" from the series "Comparing Three Flowers to the Three Nikko Monkeys." I'm drawn to the textures of the woodblock and the way the figure interacts with the fence. What strikes you about this work? Curator: I see a commentary on the role of women in Edo society, reflected through the labor-intensive process of creating and consuming these prints. Consider the social context of woodblock printing: how the publisher, designer, block cutter, and printer all contributed to its circulation and consumption. Editor: So, the act of creating and owning the print is part of the artwork's meaning? Curator: Precisely! The materiality of the print—paper, ink, wood—becomes a symbol of the complex social and economic relationships at play. It’s not just an image; it's a product of its time, reflecting societal structures. Editor: That's a fascinating way to consider it. I hadn't thought about it beyond the visual.