The Daughter of Tami no Atai Uji, from the series Twenty-Four Japanese Paragons of Filial Piety for the Honchō Circle (Honchōren honchō nijÅ«shikō) c. 1821 - 1822

Curator: This is Yashima Gakutei’s woodblock print, “The Daughter of Tami no Atai Uji, from the series Twenty-Four Japanese Paragons of Filial Piety for the Honchō Circle." The composition, with its grouping of figures, feels almost theatrical. Editor: There’s a real tension here between the older and younger generations. The daughter, absorbed in her studies, seems almost burdened by the weight of familial expectation. The Honchō Circle seems to have believed that filial piety extended to scholarly accomplishments. Curator: Observe the linear precision and the careful arrangement of forms. The repetition of patterns within the clothing creates a visual rhythm, subtly binding the figures together. Editor: But it also hints at societal structures and roles. The women are literally lower, on the floor, their education is in service to the family. Curator: Perhaps. But the attention to detail also elevates them, grants them a certain...dignity. Editor: Right. This work invites reflection not only on artistic technique, but also on the complex cultural dynamics it reflects.