Picture Book of Japanese Lyrical Drama (Utai no ehon) 

Editor: Here we have a page from Tachibana Morikuni’s "Picture Book of Japanese Lyrical Drama." The ink drawings are so delicate! I'm curious, what can you tell us about the role of illustrated books like this in their cultural context? Curator: These books weren't just entertainment. They shaped social norms and disseminated cultural ideals. Consider how the imagery might have influenced perceptions of nature and traditional values. Editor: So, were these images used to shape the reception of the plays themselves? Curator: Precisely. The illustrations mediated the experience, influencing how audiences interpreted and internalized the dramas' messages and the way they were perceived. Editor: That's fascinating! I’ll definitely be thinking about that. Curator: Yes, looking at this artwork in this way makes you consider the political power of the imagery.