Five Nō Plays (Yōgyoku goban), 3rd of 5 Volumes c. 3 - 5

Editor: Here we have a page from "Five Nō Plays" attributed to Hon'ami Kōetsu from the 16th or 17th century, held at the Harvard Art Museums. The calligraphy has a very organic feel, almost like it’s growing on the page. What do you see in this piece? Curator: I see the interaction between the handmade paper, the ink, and the brush as crucial. The texture of the paper dictates how the ink bleeds and flows, informing the character of the strokes. Consider the labor involved in crafting these materials. How does that impact our understanding of the work? Editor: That’s a great point. The labor certainly adds another layer to appreciate! I hadn't thought about that aspect of the art before. Curator: Exactly! And how does the act of writing these plays challenge the distinction between literature and visual art? Editor: Food for thought indeed! Thanks for pointing that out!