Moral teaching for shopboys, giving good and bad examples of behaviour Utagawa Kuniyoshi (1798-1861)

The composition presents a chaotic scene unfolding within what appears to be a shop or mercantile setting. A central diagonal line, formed by a fallen wooden beam, bisects the space and dictates much of the action. Several figures are caught in the midst of this disruption, their expressions and postures conveying varying degrees of surprise, distress, and amusement.
A young boy, clad in blue and red garments, is prominently positioned at the lower left, seemingly knocked off his feet by the falling beam. His posture suggests a sudden impact, with arms flailing outwards. Adjacent to him lies a small pig, further contributing to the sense of disarray and potential misfortune.
Several other boys are present, some reacting with alarm, others appearing more detached or even gleeful at the unfolding event. One boy, positioned higher in the frame, gestures emphatically towards the fallen beam, seemingly narrating or commenting on the situation. Another, dressed in a red kimono, appears to be lecturing or admonishing someone off-frame, adding another layer of complexity to the narrative.
The artist has employed a vibrant color palette, with blues, reds, and yellows dominating the scene. The use of strong outlines and flattened perspective is characteristic of woodblock prints, contributing to the image’s graphic quality. A sense of theatricality pervades the work; the exaggerated expressions and dynamic poses suggest a staged event intended for didactic purposes.
The subtext likely revolves around the importance of proper conduct within a commercial environment. The fallen beam can be interpreted as a metaphor for unexpected consequences resulting from carelessness or misbehavior. The contrasting reactions of the boys – fear, amusement, reprimand – highlight the spectrum of responses to such incidents and implicitly suggest appropriate behavior. The inclusion of the pig introduces an element of absurdity and perhaps underscores the potential for triviality in human actions. Overall, the work seems designed to impart a moral lesson through visual storytelling, using humor and dramatic action to engage its audience.