Young Man Dressed as a Mendicant Monk c. 1770

Curator: This woodblock print, called "Young Man Dressed as a Mendicant Monk," was created around 1770 by Suzuki Harunobu. It’s currently held at the Art Institute of Chicago. Editor: Oh, this has a subdued, almost wistful quality. I love the soft colors; it’s like looking at a watercolor dream. There’s a peacefulness about the downward gaze and simple bamboo flute. But wait, "mendicant monk"? It seems more playful than pious. Curator: That’s an important distinction. Consider the date—this falls squarely within the Ukiyo-e tradition, and the figure's costuming might be pointing to societal norms regarding attire or hinting at satire. Ukiyo-e, meaning “pictures of the floating world,” often explored such ambiguous topics through entertainment and the current fashions, capturing a snapshot of Edo period life. Editor: Ah, yes! That cheeky subversion gives the figure a bit more rebellious energy, playing dress-up! I’m interested in the scale of it—this very long vertical orientation gives it a sort of quiet grandeur too. Is that the original context it was meant to be displayed in? Curator: Certainly. Its "pillar print" format, known as a *hashira-e*, was created to be mounted on a vertical support beam in Japanese homes. Placed in one’s residence, it offered intimate contemplation with images designed to invite sustained viewing. In addition, pillar prints as an artistic convention represent more generally an encounter between different spatial and philosophical perspectives. Editor: It reminds me of some experimental indie film; it has its own gentle aesthetic universe, inviting us in for tea and silent understanding. Are there specific connotations connected with flute or fan-bearing men at this period? Curator: The fan indicates wealth or status, even while he mimics ascetic garb, reinforcing that tension we noted before. The flute meanwhile suggests sophistication. As a performance instrument with literary connotations it signals the person’s appreciation of refined culture and arts. These clues work together to create narrative richness, as befits Ukiyo-e works. Editor: Exactly, such gorgeous interplay of symbols. Thank you. I now find myself more attracted than ever to his silent invitation.