Illustrated Story about late-17th-century Nouveaux Riches (Ogon suidaijin sakazuki by Tamenaga Shunsui II, 1823-1886), second of two manuscript volumes c. 1853

Curator: This is a page from "Illustrated Story about late-17th-century Nouveaux Riches," one of two manuscript volumes by Yamada Kunijiro, dating back to the 19th century. Editor: It strikes me as intimate, almost like peering into a private world with its delicate lines and subtle details. Curator: The artist, Kunijiro, uses a fluid brush to depict scenes reflecting social mobility and aspiration during a transitional period in Japan. Note the careful depiction of interior spaces and personal objects. Editor: I'm drawn to the way the artist uses negative space – the emptiness around the figures amplifies the sense of quiet contemplation. Curator: Indeed. These illustrated stories offer valuable insights into the shifting cultural values surrounding wealth and status. Editor: Looking at it closely, I see how the woodblock printing allows for the wide distribution of such social commentary. Curator: What began as a means of documenting the lives of the nouveau riche has evolved into a poignant artifact of cultural memory. Editor: It's a testament to art's capacity to preserve collective experience and offer insight into social structure, labor and consumption.