Hokusai's Sketches (Hokusai gafu shohen) in 2 volumes 

Editor: Here we have *Hokusai's Sketches* in two volumes by Katsushika Hokusai. The aged paper and worn binding give it an intimate, historical feel. What can you tell me about these sketches? Curator: The materiality speaks volumes. Think of this book as a form of cultural activism. Mass-produced yet intensely personal, Hokusai democratized art education, empowering individuals across social strata. How might this accessibility challenge traditional hierarchies? Editor: So, it was a tool for social change? A way to make art knowledge more widespread? Curator: Precisely! By disseminating his artistic techniques, Hokusai fostered a sense of collective creativity, questioning elitist notions of art as a privilege. Editor: That gives me a totally different perspective on it. It's more than just a sketchbook; it's a statement. Curator: Exactly. It is a radical gesture of artistic empowerment.