Travelers on a Ferry Crossing Tama River/ Kawasaki, from the series Exhaustive Illustrations of the Fifty-Three Stations of the Tōkaidō (Tōkaidō gojÅ«santsugi ezukushi) Possibly 1810

Curator: This small woodblock print, attributed to Katsushika Hokusai, depicts travelers on a ferry crossing the Tama River. What strikes you most about it? Editor: The simplicity of the scene belies the skill involved. The artist conveys the motion of the boat and the river with such minimal detail! Curator: It's part of a series called "Exhaustive Illustrations of the Fifty-Three Stations of the Tōkaidō," reflecting the booming travel industry and the cultural interest in landscape prints at the time. Woodblock printing was a commercial process, and prints like these were relatively inexpensive and accessible. Editor: So, these images helped shape how the public perceived these locations and their historical significance. Curator: Precisely. The imagery and its circulation would affect the socio-political landscape. Editor: It’s fascinating to think how such a small object could have such a large cultural impact. Curator: Yes, the confluence of accessibility and artistry makes for a truly potent form of communication.