Fifty Nō Plays, Illustrated (Yōkyoku gojÅ«-ban), 4th of 10 Volumes c. 17th century

Editor: So, this is the fourth volume from "Fifty Nō Plays, Illustrated (Yōkyoku gojÅ«-ban)," by Tosa Mitsuoki. I'm intrigued by the delicate blue patterns on the cover. How do you interpret this work? Curator: The cover whispers of the plays within, doesn’t it? I see the stylized fish, perhaps a carp, and the pine branches. Maybe they allude to longevity, perseverance… but I am also reminded of fleeting moments of performances, ephemeral magic. Editor: Fleeting magic, I love that! So, it’s more than just a pretty cover? Curator: Absolutely! Think of it as a portal. Each element invites us to imagine the layers of story and tradition held within those pages, like a dream waiting to be unfolded. Editor: I'll definitely look at old book covers differently from now on!