Bag of Historical Treasures and People of Japan and China (Ehon shahō-bukuro) in 10 Volumes Possibly 1770

Curator: What strikes me first about this collection is the aura of antiquity and preserved knowledge they radiate. Editor: Indeed. We're looking at "Bag of Historical Treasures and People of Japan and China (Ehon shaho-bukuro) in 10 Volumes" by Tachibana Morikuni, who lived from 1679 to 1748. Curator: The ensemble raises questions about cultural exchange and representation across East Asia. How did the social and political contexts of the time shape Morikuni’s depiction of different peoples and histories? Editor: It's fascinating to consider how these books functioned within the artistic and intellectual circles of their time, circulating knowledge and shaping perceptions of Japan and China. Curator: Thinking about their presence today, I wonder how they continue to inform and potentially challenge contemporary understandings of East Asian relations. Editor: These ten volumes really invite us to contemplate the power of historical narratives.