Rules for the Department of Young Ladies (Shōgaku Joreishiki zukai) c. late 19th century

Editor: This print, "Rules for the Department of Young Ladies" by Adachi Ginkō, shows women in what appears to be a domestic space. The flat perspective and detailed patterns are striking. What can you tell me about the materials and their use in this artwork? Curator: The woodblock printing process itself is key here. Look at the distinct lines, the way color is applied in blocks. This was a commercial enterprise, a product for mass consumption. The paper, the pigments, the labor involved in carving the blocks – each element speaks to the economic and social structures of the time. Editor: So, it's not just about the image, but also the means of making it? Curator: Precisely. Consider how this print, depicting prescribed female behavior, was itself a commodity circulated within that same social system. The very act of production and consumption reinforces those rules. Editor: I see. It adds another layer to understanding the image. Thank you! Curator: My pleasure, thinking about the art's materiality can reveal so much.