Poem by Sanjō-in, from the series One Hundred Poems Explained by the Nurse (Hyakunin isshu uba ga etoki) c. 1835 - 1836

Editor: Here we have Hokusai's "Poem by Sanjō-in, from the series One Hundred Poems Explained by the Nurse," a woodblock print. The figures seem to be in such deep contemplation. What stands out to you about the cultural context surrounding the creation of this print? Curator: The woodblock process itself is critical. We see the commercialization of art. The publisher, the block carvers, and the printers all played roles in disseminating imagery and knowledge to a broad audience. How does this mode of production shape your understanding of the piece? Editor: I suppose it moves it away from being a singular object, towards a mass produced item of cultural consumption. So, who was consuming this image and why? Curator: Exactly! It speaks to literacy, class, and the popularization of classical poetry. Consider the paper, the ink, the labor involved. The act of creating and consuming the print is as important as the scene depicted. Does that resonate with you? Editor: Absolutely. Thinking about all the hands that touched this print before it made its way to the museum gives me a new appreciation for its cultural significance.