Ōe no Takachika (ChomonjÅ«), from the series Twenty-Four Japanese Paragons of Filial Piety for the Honchō Circle (Honchōren honchō nijÅ«shikō), with poem by Utsunoya Makikata c. 1821 - 1822

Editor: This print, "Ōe no Takachika," by Yashima Gakutei, depicts a figure overlooking a landscape with a red bridge. The patterns in his robe are striking. What can you tell me about the cultural context in which it was made? Curator: Well, let's consider the materials. Woodblock printing, a mass production technique, democratized art. How does that contrast with, say, the elite status of calligraphy also present in the image, and what does that suggest about its intended audience and function? Editor: It's interesting to think about the tension between the refined subject matter and the more accessible printmaking process. Thanks! Curator: Indeed. Examining the means of production reveals a lot about the social landscape in which this image circulated.