Battle of the Chickens and Rats (Keisō emaki), Vol. 2

Editor: This scroll, "Battle of the Chickens and Rats" by Asai Ryoi, is so long! It's a riot of tiny figures. It seems like ink and color on paper and the calligraphy is so precise. How can we interpret the use of such refined materials to depict what seems like a chaotic conflict? Curator: Consider the socio-economic context. Were these materials, readily available or did they require significant labor to acquire? Is there a tension between the depicted battle and the value of the materials used to create it? Editor: So, the preciousness of the materials contrasts with the seemingly trivial subject? Curator: Precisely! This juxtaposition invites us to consider the societal values and the labor involved in both the creation and consumption of art. Editor: That’s fascinating, seeing the scroll not just as a picture, but a product of its time and materials. Curator: Exactly! It redefines what constitutes 'high' art by examining the materiality and means of production.