The Hundred Poets, "Noin Hoshi" 

Editor: This woodblock print by Utagawa Kuniyoshi, titled "The Hundred Poets, 'Noin Hoshi'", really captures a sense of everyday life. What’s striking is how the figures are caught in this downpour. What do you find most compelling about this piece? Curator: I'm drawn to how Kuniyoshi uses the everyday – a rainy street scene – to engage with the poetic tradition of the "Hundred Poets." Notice how the inscription, likely the poem itself, is prominently displayed. Do you think this elevates the print beyond mere genre scene? Editor: That’s interesting! So, it’s not just a picture of people in the rain, but also a commentary on poetry's role in society? Curator: Precisely. Kuniyoshi is placing poetry within the reach of the common viewer, democratizing access to high culture through popular imagery. Editor: I never considered how accessible art could be a social statement. Thanks for that insight! Curator: My pleasure! It shows us how art is always participating in a larger conversation.