Toy Horse, Fan and Incense Burner/ Keibakō, in the series A Selection of Horses (Umazukushi), with poems by ShōryÅ«tei Motome (or Shigeru), Seiseisha Fumigaki and Yomo no Utagaki no Magao Possibly 1822

Curator: Katsushika Hokusai’s woodblock print, "Toy Horse, Fan and Incense Burner," presents a still life imbued with subtle symbolism. I'm immediately struck by the juxtaposition of the playful toy horse with the more formal, almost ritualistic objects. Editor: It’s interesting how Hokusai elevates everyday objects, placing a child’s toy alongside items associated with ceremony. Is it a commentary on class distinctions or the performative nature of social rituals? Curator: The choice of materials speaks volumes. The contrast between the wood of the horse and tray with the delicate paper of the fan highlights the different forms of labour involved in their production. Editor: And how those forms of labour reflect on the societal roles of those who create and consume such objects. The poems, too, contribute to understanding the cultural context of this series. Curator: Precisely, situating the artwork within its socio-economic framework unveils the nuanced relationship between art, craft, and consumerism in 19th-century Japan. Editor: It encourages us to reconsider these objects, not just as aesthetic items but as tangible representations of a particular moment in history.