Glorious Men of China and Japan (Wakan homare) Possibly 1850

Editor: Here we have Hokusai's woodblock print, "Glorious Men of China and Japan." I’m struck by the contrast between the dynamic, swirling figure on the left and the more grounded figure on the right. What's the story behind this juxtaposition? Curator: Hokusai is playing with cultural identity here. Consider how "glory" is constructed and represented differently across cultures. The print engages with the socio-political concept of heroism. Does it celebrate or question the idea of national heroes, and for whom? Editor: So, it's about questioning the very idea of heroism? That's fascinating. I hadn't considered the political aspect so directly. Curator: Precisely. And how does the medium of print, with its capacity for wide distribution, affect the message and its audience? Editor: I see now how Hokusai uses this medium to democratize the conversation about who gets to be a hero. Thanks for illuminating that. Curator: It's a reminder that art is always in dialogue with its social context.