Seven Gods of Good Fortune and Otafuku celebrating New Year's from the series Prosperous and Harmonious Month (Fukutoku mutsumashi tsuki) Woodblock print (nishiki-e) left sheet of triptych; ink and color on paper

Curator: This 18th-century woodblock print, "Seven Gods of Good Fortune and Otafuku celebrating New Year's," by Kitagawa Utamaro, shows a lively scene. What strikes you first? Editor: The depiction of labor, the butchering of the fish, the serving of food—it feels very grounded and human. How can we understand this portrayal in its cultural context? Curator: This domesticity reflects the changing social dynamics of the Edo period. Utamaro challenges the traditional depictions of idealized beauty by including elements of the working class and a figure from folk religion. What does that imply about the intended audience? Editor: It suggests a broader audience, maybe outside the aristocracy, which is a significant shift. Curator: Exactly. Utamaro’s work becomes a window into the lives of everyday people, elevating their experiences. It makes me wonder, does it challenge or reinforce existing social hierarchies? Editor: That’s a perspective shift for me. Thanks! Curator: Consider how the act of depicting the working class can both celebrate and possibly exoticize them. Art creates its own reality.