Poem by Ōnakatomi no Yoshinobu Ason, from the series One Hundred Poems Explained by the Nurse (Hyakunin isshu uba ga etoki) c. 1835 - 1836

Editor: This woodblock print by Hokusai is titled "Poem by Ōnakatomi no Yoshinobu Ason, from the series One Hundred Poems Explained by the Nurse". It depicts figures in what seems like a domestic scene, yet there's a strange tension in their interactions. What social dynamics might Hokusai be highlighting here? Curator: It’s fascinating to consider this work through the lens of gender and power. Notice how some figures seem to be prostrating themselves before others. What could this imagery suggest about the social hierarchies and expectations of the time, particularly concerning class and possibly gender roles in 19th century Japan? Editor: It's interesting to consider that perspective, I hadn't thought of it that way. Curator: Thinking about art in terms of social messaging allows us to rethink traditional narratives.