Women Gathering Iris (Yatsuhashi) Edo period,

Curator: Here we have "Women Gathering Iris (Yatsuhashi)", a Japanese woodblock print attributed to Katsushika Hokusai. Editor: It's quite striking! I'm immediately drawn to the pattern created by the wooden planks cutting through the iris field, and the delicacy of the figures almost disappearing into the landscape. Curator: The print reflects a wider cultural interest in gardens and cultivated nature during this period. These iris gardens were carefully constructed spaces, accessible to the elite. Editor: The process of woodblock printing is fascinating; each color requires a separate block. Consider the labor involved in carving these blocks and printing the final image. Curator: Precisely! The image is less about nature itself, and more about the societal norms that dictated the appreciation of nature. The women, seemingly unaware of any labor and toil. Editor: And the materiality of the paper itself, the way it absorbs the ink. The textures must feel rich to the touch. Curator: It’s important to contextualize the image within a history of image production and consumption. Editor: Agreed. The beauty lies in both the crafted image and the larger social tapestry it represents.