Poem by Bunya no Asayasu (Fumiya no Asayasu), from the series One Hundred Poems Explained by the Nurse (Hyakunin isshu uba ga etoki) c. 1835 - 1836

Editor: This is Hokusai's "Poem by Bunya no Asayasu" from the series "One Hundred Poems Explained by the Nurse". There is such tranquility in this image of figures navigating the lily pads by boat. What social narratives might be embedded within this scene? Curator: It's fascinating to consider how Hokusai utilizes this intimate scene to engage with broader societal perceptions of leisure and culture. Woodblock prints were a widely accessible art form. How might this image's accessibility influence its impact on public perceptions of poetry and nature? Editor: That's a great point. The mass production would definitely democratize the consumption of art and literature. I hadn't thought about that. Curator: Exactly. And consider the "nurse" in the series title – suggesting education and transmission of knowledge. Hokusai uses accessible imagery to engage with themes of art and learning. Editor: That makes me appreciate the complexity layered within what appears to be a simple scene. Thanks!