Sacred Light of Massaki (Massaki no jintō), detached book pages from Pictures of Both Banks of the Sumida River (Ehon Sumidagawa ryōgan ichiran) c. 1805 - 1806

Editor: This is “Sacred Light of Massaki” by Hokusai, a woodblock print from *Pictures of Both Banks of the Sumida River*. It’s so serene, almost like a postcard scene. How do you interpret the cultural significance of depicting a landscape in this way? Curator: It reflects the rising popularity of landscape prints amongst the merchant class in Edo-period Japan. Images of famous sites, like this one, became a form of cultural tourism, accessible to those who couldn't physically travel. Did Hokusai’s art democratize access to iconic landscapes? Editor: So, these prints weren't just art, but almost a form of social currency, allowing people to participate in a shared cultural experience? Curator: Precisely. These images served as both mementos and symbols of cultural awareness. We see here how art actively shaped social identity and cultural capital.