Yorimitsu Receiving Watanabe no Tsuna 

Editor: This is Katsukawa Shuntei's "Yorimitsu Receiving Watanabe no Tsuna," made with paper. I'm struck by the details of the armor and the way the interior space is depicted. What stands out to you in this piece? Curator: Consider the woodblock printing process. How does the labor-intensive carving and printing affect our understanding of the image as a commodity? Who was consuming these prints, and how did their social status influence the demand for such scenes? Editor: So, it's less about the narrative and more about the means of production and consumption? Curator: Precisely. The materiality of the print, from the paper to the ink, speaks to a broader network of artisans and consumers. Thinking about these prints as material objects within a specific economic system shifts the focus. Editor: I hadn't considered that. Viewing art through the lens of production makes me rethink its value. Curator: Indeed. It challenges the traditional hierarchy between fine art and craft, drawing attention to the often-overlooked labor that makes art possible.