Vliegergevechten in een Japans heuvellandschap 1862

This print depicts a kite-fighting festival taking place in a hilly Japanese landscape. Although the artist remains anonymous, the image offers a glimpse into the social life of Japan. Looking closely, the image creates meaning through visual codes; people are enjoying leisure activities, such as picnicking and kite-flying. Consider how specific features of Japanese culture, such as the importance of community, harmony and festivals, might have influenced the artwork. Kite flying had been a popular pastime since the Edo period, and kite fighting festivals were, and still are, a traditional part of Japanese culture. The image might also comment on the social structures of its own time. The depiction of people from different social classes enjoying the same activity suggests that it may self-consciously promote the values of a more egalitarian society. To fully understand the image, you might use a variety of research resources, such as historical documents, accounts of Japanese festivals, and studies of social structures in Japan. Ultimately, the meaning of art is contingent on the social and institutional context in which it is created and viewed.