Ogura Imitation of the One Hundred Poems 1845 - 1846

Utagawa Hiroshige I created this woodblock print titled Ogura Imitation of the One Hundred Poems. The print belongs to a genre known as Ukiyo-e, or "pictures of the floating world." This genre emerged during the Edo period, a time when Japan was experiencing economic growth and relative peace, but also rigid social stratification under the rule of the shogunate. Ukiyo-e prints often depicted scenes from urban life, the theater, and celebrated courtesans, all of which reflected the values of the rising merchant class. In this print, Hiroshige references a classical poetry anthology. By blending high and low cultural forms, he appeals to a broad audience. Hiroshige's choice to represent a male figure in the guise of a female poet challenges traditional gender norms. What does it mean to see a man embodying a female voice? The figure’s gaze is introspective, and seems to invite the viewer to consider the fluidity of identity, and the complex relationship between appearance and inner self. Ultimately, this print invites us to reflect on the dynamic interplay between tradition and modernity, and the ever-evolving nature of identity.