Japan’s Edo period was characterized by development and change. During this time, the luxuries previously only afforded to the samurai elites of society became more accessible to individuals of lower classes. As a result, pop culture emerged in Japan. Urbanization and development of techniques allowed many different kinds of art, such as books and woodblock prints, to be produced and distributed more easily. These products were infused with the new spirit of ukiyo, which united the common folk under a feeling of fun and indulgence in light of their new freedoms, as well as a kind of mock of the samurai who had previously been the main consumers of the era. In a way, the pop culture of the Edo period feels similar to internet culture, although on a smaller level. It was a way to relax and connect with others, to joke around and indulge oneself, and to keep up with what was going on. The increased speed and frequency of products to consume created a culture where people could be unified and relate underneath shared experiences of consumption.
I enjoyed walking through the Edo Museum and seeing how, as time went on, pop culture evolved from Edo period Japan up to today. One part of the reading we did for this excursion mentioned how book lenders found jobs in delivering books to nearby towns, providing more people with access to books. This caught my eye because of the significance of books in any society, and I was excited to find an exhibit in the museum that showed just how bookstores expanded throughout Edo. Furthermore, I enjoyed seeing the production of woodblock prints and how such beautiful pieces were made so efficiently. In particular, I found Hokusai’s studio to be interesting because it illustrated the humbleness of his environment and how, despite, he was still able to make such incredible art. Near the end of the museum I spotted a small exhibit that showed Japanese pop culture of the 1900’s and 2000’s. It contained a series of artifacts and videos showing people singing and dancing. It was a stark contrast to the rest of the museum and illustrated ways in which pop culture has evolved since Edo period.
It’s intriguing to me to note that many of the arts of the Edo period remain a part of pop culture today, but are perceived differently now than they were originally. For instance, Hokusai’s pieces are globally known and mass-produced today. The Great Wave of Kanagawa can be found decorating almost any product, and there are few people who wouldn’t recognize it. Furthermore, haikus were developed during the Edo period as generally unserious, lighthearted pieces; today, haikus are well known and oftentimes respected as being elegant and meaningful. It’s interesting to me to see the way that the meaning and purpose of the products of Edo pop culture have transformed within modern pop culture.
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