In Beginning of Civilization 24 Scenes: Chair, Toyohara Kunichika humorously portrays the introduction of Western-style chairs into Japanese culture during the Meiji period. The print features a traditional Japanese setting with the inclusion of a Western chair, highlighting the cultural exchange and modernization that occurred during this time. Kunichika’s use of bright colors and detailed patterns captures the juxtaposition of old and new, as traditional Japanese figures interact with the new object. This work is part of Kunichika’s larger series, which reflects the rapid changes in Japan during the Meiji era.