Hokusai manga (Hokusai Sketchbooks), vol. 1 Possibly 1814 - 1878

Editor: Here we have volume one of Hokusai's Manga sketchbooks. It's an open book, filled with images of sea creatures. The composition feels dense and encyclopedic. What do you make of it? Curator: Hokusai's Manga wasn't manga as we know it today, but rather a collection of sketches intended for other artists, artisans and the general public. Consider its historical moment: Japan was opening up after a long period of isolation. How might this compilation of freely-shared images have been perceived? Editor: It would have been seen as a way to disseminate knowledge and imagery more widely, like a visual resource available to everyone. Curator: Exactly! Hokusai democratized art making, impacting not only Japanese art but also influencing Western art movements through Japonisme. Editor: That’s fascinating – it’s more than just a sketchbook, it’s a cultural artifact! Curator: Indeed. This sketchbook reveals the social function of art.