Ukiyo-e in My MomentsToday, seized by a sudden interest, I scrolled through my WeChat Moments. It truly felt like witnessing the myriad facets of life in a ukiyo-e print.This May Day holiday, whether my college classmates or my old classmates from high school or even junior high, most of them went out to have fun, to varying degrees. Half were traveling and sharing their journeys, half were walking in pairs.Some classmates took advantage of the holiday to return with their roommates or brothers living in Jiangnan. In a few days, they traversed the exquisite misty waters of Shanghai, Suzhou, and Wuxi. The winding paths of Yuyuan Garden, the towering skylines of Lujiazui, the bells of Hanshan Temple, and the glimmering ripples of Taihu Lake—all were condensed into a nine-grid collage, each tile an unreal memento.Some posted photos with their lovers—watching shows, hiking—their embracing poses like sugar slowly caramelized over a low flame, so sweet it nearly spills out of the screen.Others, ostensibly showing off a table of fine dishes, stealthily tucked into the most inconspicuous corner of the nine-grid collage a glimpse of two shoulders side by side, like a secret, yet blatant, 「secret affair」.Some attended a gaming carnival, stepping into a world where virtual and reality blend; within that interwoven illusion, they embarked on a magnificent adventure..And even those 「going it alone」 solo journeys, surprisingly showed no sign of desolation; on the contrary, they were filled with splendid scenery.Some traveled alone to the seaside, generously sharing a feast laid out on the table, as if treating themselves as the sole guest of honor in the world.Some traversed the vast lands north and south of the Yangtze within five days, visiting museums and historical sites, experiencing the boundless world.There were also those who traveled with close girlfriends, not chasing dazzling fireworks, but brewing infinite tender affection in ordinary alleys, over simple tea and meals.As for those who did not go out to enjoy the earthly beauties: some were glued to the stock market, the screen showing a sea of red (rising stocks); some were quietly cultivating themselves, certificates piling up like a small hill, conquering new territories in knowledge.Although their Moments are set to visible for only three days, one month, or half a year, they are rich and fulfilling.My Moments, though consistently set to 「all open」, are extremely empty, childish, and flat.90% are games, and 10% are fleeting encounters.In the list of Moments, only my Moments consist of jarring gacha pulls, the Abyss, beautiful pictures of game characters, and birthday letters; or a little bit of food and travel. Among those pictures that showcase real life, there are only empty scenery, dishes, and captions, but not a single person—as if all the liveliness of the world has drifted away from me.
Ukiyo-e in My Moments
Ukiyo-e in My Moments
Today, seized by a sudden interest, I scrolled through my WeChat Moments. It truly felt like witnessing the myriad facets of life in a ukiyo-e print.
This May Day holiday, whether my college classmates or my old classmates from high school or even junior high, most of them went out to have fun, to varying degrees. Half were traveling and sharing their journeys, half were walking in pairs.
Some classmates took advantage of the holiday to return with their roommates or brothers living in Jiangnan. In a few days, they traversed the exquisite misty waters of Shanghai, Suzhou, and Wuxi. The winding paths of Yuyuan Garden, the towering skylines of Lujiazui, the bells of Hanshan Temple, and the glimmering ripples of Taihu Lake—all were condensed into a nine-grid collage, each tile an unreal memento.
Some posted photos with their lovers—watching shows, hiking—their embracing poses like sugar slowly caramelized over a low flame, so sweet it nearly spills out of the screen.
Others, ostensibly showing off a table of fine dishes, stealthily tucked into the most inconspicuous corner of the nine-grid collage a glimpse of two shoulders side by side, like a secret, yet blatant, 「secret affair」.
Some attended a gaming carnival, stepping into a world where virtual and reality blend; within that interwoven illusion, they embarked on a magnificent adventure..
And even those 「going it alone」 solo journeys, surprisingly showed no sign of desolation; on the contrary, they were filled with splendid scenery.
Some traveled alone to the seaside, generously sharing a feast laid out on the table, as if treating themselves as the sole guest of honor in the world.
Some traversed the vast lands north and south of the Yangtze within five days, visiting museums and historical sites, experiencing the boundless world.
There were also those who traveled with close girlfriends, not chasing dazzling fireworks, but brewing infinite tender affection in ordinary alleys, over simple tea and meals.
As for those who did not go out to enjoy the earthly beauties: some were glued to the stock market, the screen showing a sea of red (rising stocks); some were quietly cultivating themselves, certificates piling up like a small hill, conquering new territories in knowledge.
Although their Moments are set to visible for only three days, one month, or half a year, they are rich and fulfilling.
My Moments, though consistently set to 「all open」, are extremely empty, childish, and flat.
90% are games, and 10% are fleeting encounters.
In the list of Moments, only my Moments consist of jarring gacha pulls, the Abyss, beautiful pictures of game characters, and birthday letters; or a little bit of food and travel. Among those pictures that showcase real life, there are only empty scenery, dishes, and captions, but not a single person—as if all the liveliness of the world has drifted away from me.