The Floating Bridge of Dreams (Yume no Ukihashi), Illustration to Chapter 54 of the Tale of Genji (Genji monogatari) c. 1509 - 1510

Editor: So, this is *The Floating Bridge of Dreams* by Tosa Mitsunobu, an illustration from *The Tale of Genji*. The pigments are so vibrant! What materials were used, and how did that inform the creation of this piece? Curator: The application of gold leaf, particularly in the "floating" clouds, isn't just decorative. It speaks to the socio-economic context of artistic production. Was this gold leaf sourced locally, or did it involve trade routes? How does its presence elevate the status of the artwork and its patron? Editor: That's interesting! I hadn't considered the economic implications of the materials themselves. Curator: Exactly! This piece isn't just about aesthetic beauty, it’s also about the labor and resources that went into its creation. We can trace social networks through the materiality. Editor: I've definitely learned to think about art beyond just the visual. Thanks!