Pilgrims Travelling to Ise 18th century

Editor: This is “Pilgrims Travelling to Ise,” an 18th-century ink and paper drawing by Chōdō, now residing at the Met. There's a sense of communal labor and journey. It seems like the artist is highlighting a very specific moment and method of travel. What do you see when you look at this work? Curator: As a materialist, I'm immediately drawn to the socio-economic context of this pilgrimage. Look at the diverse roles involved in the journey—the palanquin bearers, the animal handlers, and the pilgrims themselves. The drawing acts as a record of the physical effort and social stratification inherent in pilgrimage. How does the artist depict the burden of labor? Editor: It’s subtle, isn't it? They aren't overtly emphasizing the physical strain. Is this possibly related to idealizing folk life at the time? Curator: Precisely! But even in this apparent idealization, consider the materials themselves. The ink, the paper - these were commodities, made accessible to a rising merchant class. What does the use of miniature, folk-art inspired aesthetic for narrative-art drawing say about the art market during that period? Is it democratizing art, or aestheticizing labor? Editor: So, the choice of materials and style, far from being neutral, reflects larger power dynamics? The artist chose specific materials knowing the impact this choice might carry? Curator: Absolutely! The materiality of this drawing and the means of its production and circulation place it firmly within a specific historical and social fabric. By emphasizing the laborers within the image as well as labor *required* to produce it, we can deconstruct its apparent simplicity and reveal underlying social commentary. Editor: I never considered the economics behind the artwork itself before. This completely changed how I see "Pilgrims Travelling to Ise.” Thanks for that! Curator: Likewise! It is fascinating how an image opens itself to you once you approach it with this material consciousness.