A Fishmonger Selling Bonito 

Editor: This is Katsukawa Shun'ei's "A Fishmonger Selling Bonito," a print on paper. The fishmonger looks burdened, while others seem to observe or negotiate. What social dynamics are at play here? Curator: It's compelling to consider this image through a gendered lens. The arduous labor of the fishmonger contrasts with the relative leisure of the kimono-clad figures. How might class and gender intersect in this scene? Editor: That's interesting! So, it's not just about selling fish, but also about the roles these people occupy? Curator: Precisely. Consider the visual weight given to the laborer versus the consumers. What does that say about Edo-period society and the representation of work? Editor: I hadn't thought about it that way, but it makes me wonder what other power dynamics are present. Curator: Exactly! It highlights how art is a site where we can think about work, gender, and society, not just visual pleasure.