Kasajima Taishō period?

Curator: Before us, we have Hirafuku Hyakusui's "Kasajima," a Japanese print held at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: My first impression is a sense of stillness, of quiet observation. The soft hues give it a dreamlike quality, almost as if viewing a memory. Curator: The printmaking process itself is fascinating. Woodblock printing in Japan was intricately connected to publishing and the dissemination of knowledge. Editor: I'm drawn to the winding path. It seems to symbolize a journey, perhaps a spiritual one, leading the viewer into the heart of the landscape, toward enlightenment. Curator: Indeed, and thinking about the materiality, the paper itself bears the marks of the woodblock, a testament to the labor involved in its creation. It's not just an image, it’s a record of its own making. Editor: I agree. The hills also seem to serve as timeless guardians. They evoke a sense of enduring peace, almost acting as protectors. Curator: I think I appreciate how the social function and artistic expression were so entwined in its creation. Editor: It resonates with a quiet strength. I find myself contemplating the symbolism of nature.