Ocha no mizu no dzo c. 19th century

Editor: So, this is *Ocha no mizu no dzo* by Utagawa Hiroshige. I'm struck by how the tall fences on either side of the water seem to confine the figures. What do you make of this composition? Curator: This print reflects Edo-period Japan, where social hierarchies were visually reinforced. The rigid structure hints at controlled spaces, perhaps reflecting the social regulations and class divisions prevalent then. Who has access, who is kept out, and why? Editor: That's fascinating. I hadn't considered the fence as a symbol of social control. Thanks for pointing that out. Curator: Considering this image within the context of its time really changes how we perceive it.