Masaoka, a Wet Nurse to the Date Clan, Holding Her Murdered Child 1881

Curator: Looking at this woodblock print, created in 1881 by Tsukioka Yoshitoshi, one immediately senses a palpable atmosphere of sorrow. The piece is titled "Masaoka, a Wet Nurse to the Date Clan, Holding Her Murdered Child." Editor: Yes, sorrow but also resistance. The materiality of the print – the textures created by the woodblocks, the layers of ink – feels almost defiant in the face of such tragedy. It's not just an image; it's a record of skilled labor, a testament to the artistry of the medium itself. Curator: The social context is crucial. Yoshitoshi created this work during the Meiji Restoration, a period of immense political and social upheaval. The story of Masaoka, loyal servant, who tragically loses the baby to whom she has been appointed caregiver as it is poisoned by evil clan members, is ripe for its complex and twisted tale to act as metaphor for sacrifice, as one part of the country attempts to swallow another. Her fidelity becomes a statement about values. Editor: I agree; considering it now I am drawn in by the process. The registration alone on this print would require intense precision, repeated impressions. What dyes were accessible? I want to delve into the labor—how the artist communicates these values through material choices. Look closely and you’ll begin to sense where the carving resists, where the color pools. The tension isn't just thematic; it's built into the object. Curator: The visual narrative of devotion to clan is a classic one and the fact that a servant is its heroic fulcrum may itself reveal complex sentiments from artist regarding political climate in his world. Consider the implications: who had power; who were those who lost to the clan battles? Masaoka remains heroic and in one glance captures all such human costs. Editor: Right, by considering the socio-political landscape in which the work was made helps enrich the print so we are allowed a perspective that sees and understands those historical influences: The color palette feels restricted too— perhaps due to cost or availability. Every shade contributes. In contrast we also witness artistic restraint adding, in effect, a somber resonance. Curator: We get pulled in. Editor: Exactly. And hopefully moved to reflect more.