No.Mishima 1847 - 1852

Editor: This is Hiroshige's "No.Mishima" print, likely created between 1847 and 1852. It's made using ink and colors on woodblock. It feels so tranquil, yet there's movement within the landscape and figures. What strikes you when you look at this piece? Curator: I see a carefully constructed image reflecting the social dynamics and hierarchy along the Tokaido Road. Think about the laborers bustling around a roadside establishment. Are they truly benefiting from the same economic system that sustains the wealthier travelers? Consider also what it meant to depict such everyday scenes during that era. Was Hiroshige advocating for the visibility of these oft-unseen populations? Editor: I hadn’t considered the laborers in relation to social class. That definitely changes my reading of the piece! So, do you think Hiroshige intentionally highlights the socio-economic disparities? Curator: It's more nuanced than a simple advocacy. Hiroshige masterfully captures the landscape, yes, but within it, he subtly incorporates the lives of all those who occupy that space. It invites us to reflect on the various ways in which individuals and communities interact within specific cultural and economic systems. Consider what we know of gender roles and expectations during this period, too; can we extrapolate beyond what’s immediately represented? Editor: So, rather than taking a firm position, the artwork encourages viewers to question social dynamics, right? The gender dynamics too. Curator: Precisely. By studying these images, we see how art provides a glimpse into these intersections and provokes thoughts on societal hierarchies and expectations. Do you notice any power dynamics, for instance, between those on foot and the riders at the gate? Editor: Now that you point it out, it’s so clear! The riders pass effortlessly through the gate, while others seem burdened by labour. Thank you, this has totally broadened my understanding. Curator: And in turn, it reaffirms how crucial it is to keep viewing and re-viewing art through the lenses of different times, people and ideas.