Hokusai manga (Hokusai Sketchbooks), vol. 10 Possibly 1819

Curator: Looking at this open page from Hokusai's Manga, volume 10, what strikes you first? Editor: The sheer energy! Despite the limited palette, there’s a vibrancy and dynamism in each little scene. It feels almost like a storyboard. Curator: Precisely. Hokusai’s sketchbooks, dating back to the early 19th century, are a treasure trove of Japanese life and culture. Notice the diverse range of figures and activities. Editor: I see everything from acrobats to artisans. There's a real sense of everyday people engaged in their lives. The expressions are so varied too! Curator: Hokusai captured the spirit of the Edo period. His manga are a reminder that art can be found in the mundane. Editor: It's fascinating to see these ordinary lives depicted with such skill. It makes you think about whose stories are considered worthy of being told, and how Hokusai democratized representation in his time. Curator: Indeed, Hokusai’s visual encyclopedia continues to inspire. Editor: A powerful reminder that the stories of ordinary people matter, and they always have.