Spectacles on a Scroll 1823

This woodblock print titled "Spectacles on a Scroll" was created by Totoya Hokkei, a Japanese artist, in the 19th century. It depicts a map, partially obscured by a pair of spectacles and a writing brush, overlaid with blossoming plum branches, the symbol of early spring and renewal. The motif of the map evokes the human desire to chart and understand our world, a drive as old as civilization itself. In ancient Greece, maps appeared in the writings of Herodotus, illustrating a quest for geographical knowledge, much like the Renaissance's rediscovery of Ptolemy’s "Geography" fueled exploration. Similarly, consider the Roman "Tabula Peutingeriana," a roadmap of the Roman Empire, reflecting power and administrative control. Here, the spectacles resting upon the map suggest a focused lens through which to examine the world, echoing the human quest for knowledge and understanding across time, influencing how we perceive and interact with our surroundings. The blooming plum blossoms introduce a cyclical element, as symbols of rebirth and the transient beauty of life, perpetually recurring themes in the human experience.