Kanagawa c. 1900

This woodblock print titled "Kanagawa" was made by an anonymous artist. It is difficult to say precisely when it was made, but we can nonetheless connect its imagery to the wider social and cultural context of its time. This image creates meaning through its depiction of marine life, visual codes, and cultural references. Considering that this print could have been made in Japan, we can begin to see how the cultural features, geography, and economic structure of the country influenced the artwork. The location of Japan as an island and its dependence on the sea for food are factors that might have inspired the artist. Further investigation into the role of marine life in Japanese culture and traditions could help us understand the artwork better. After all, the meaning of art is contingent on social and institutional context.