Rules for the Department of Young Ladies (Shōgaku Joreishiki zukai) c. late 19th century

Editor: Adachi Ginkō's "Rules for the Department of Young Ladies" presents a vibrant scene with detailed textile patterns. What does this image reveal about the materials and process behind its creation? Curator: The woodblock printmaking process is central. Consider the labor involved in carving the blocks for each color, and the standardization required for mass production and distribution. It speaks to a growing consumer culture during the Meiji era. Editor: That's fascinating! So, it's less about individual artistic expression and more about the means of production and consumption? Curator: Precisely. The image, then, becomes a commodity circulating specific social ideals. Examining its materiality shifts our focus from aesthetics to the social context of its creation and reception. Editor: I hadn’t thought about it that way. Thanks for pointing out the materialist perspective! Curator: My pleasure. It's all about seeing the artwork within the system of its making.