Night View of Saruwaka-machi (Saruwaka-machi yoru no kei), from the series One Hundred Famous Views of Edo (Meisho Edo hyakkei) Possibly 1856

Curator: Hiroshige's woodblock print, *Night View of Saruwaka-machi*, is part of his *One Hundred Famous Views of Edo*. It captures a bustling street scene under the soft glow of a full moon. Editor: It feels almost theatrical, doesn't it? The way the light pools and stretches those long shadows. Makes me think of a stage set, ready for a play to begin. Curator: Absolutely. The Saruwaka-machi district was known for its theaters. Hiroshige uses the exaggerated perspective to draw viewers into the lively entertainment district. Notice how the architecture frames the sky and lunar light. Editor: The moon dominates, yet it’s balanced by the human energy below. It’s this dance between the ethereal and the everyday that hooks me. Like a lullaby hummed against the bustle of city life. Curator: I agree, it creates this feeling of stillness within the chaos. It shows the vitality of Edo’s public spaces through carefully crafted compositions. Editor: It’s a gentle invitation to slow down and observe the world with a bit more wonder, I think. Curator: Precisely, and it's a great testament to Hiroshige's genius.