Ishiyakushi: Ishiyakushi Temple (Ishiyakushi, Ishiyakushi-ji), from the series Fifty-three Stations of the Tōkaidō (Tōkaidō gojÅ«san tsugi no uchi), also known as the First Tōkaidō or Great Tōkaidō c. 1833 - 1834

Curator: Ah, the sweet, serene countryside. This is Utagawa Hiroshige's "Ishiyakushi: Ishiyakushi Temple," part of his "Fifty-three Stations of the Tōkaidō" series. I feel like I can almost smell the fresh air! Editor: What strikes me is the labor implied in this image. Look at those haystacks, likely rice, and the folks working in the field. Each print would have involved many hands. Curator: Absolutely, the woodblock carving and printing was a labor of love. It’s quite special how Hiroshige captures not only the landscape, but the everyday life and the journey itself. Editor: Speaking of material, I wonder about the pigments used. That striking blue in the mountain…indigo, perhaps? Each color carefully layered, each print a testament to skill and industry. Curator: It does conjure such a feeling of peace, doesn't it? It's as if Hiroshige is inviting us to pause and appreciate the simple beauty surrounding us. Editor: For me, it’s a reflection on the relationship between commerce, artistic production, and labor in Edo period Japan. Quite a lot to unpack in a small print. Curator: Indeed. A fleeting glimpse, or a deeper look... both are rewarding here. Editor: A balance of bucolic charm and material reality then. A beautiful combination.