View of the Interior of the Gankirō Tea House in Yokohama (Yokohama Gankirō no zu), published by Daikokuya Kinnosuke Possibly 1860

Editor: This is "View of the Interior of the Gankirō Tea House in Yokohama," a woodblock print by Utagawa Hiroshige II. It's so lively, capturing a bustling scene! What can you tell me about the social context of tea houses like this one? Curator: This print offers a glimpse into the social dynamics of Yokohama during a period of rapid modernization. Tea houses, like the Gankirō, were often centers of commerce and entertainment, playing a key role in shaping perceptions of the city, both locally and internationally. Who was included, and who was excluded, in these spaces? Editor: That's a great point! I hadn't considered the role of these spaces in constructing a specific, perhaps idealized, image of Yokohama. Curator: Exactly. Consider how prints like this, circulated widely, influenced the narrative of a modernizing Japan, and how they might have masked social realities for marketing purposes. This print may be considered a cultural artifact in its own right. Editor: I see what you mean. It definitely gives me a lot to think about.