Landscape with Waterfall, central scroll of a set of three c. mid 18th century

Editor: This is Kano Yōsen'in's scroll painting, "Landscape with Waterfall," part of a set of three. The monochromatic ink creates a serene, almost dreamlike quality. What stands out to you about this piece? Curator: It brings to mind the concept of *ukiyo*, the floating world. Landscape paintings like these weren't just about depicting scenery. They were deeply intertwined with philosophical ideas and social contexts. How might the absence of vibrant color affect our perception of power dynamics within this landscape? Editor: I hadn't considered the power aspect. So the monochrome palette isn't just aesthetic? Curator: Precisely. Consider the social climate in which this was created. Who had access to color? To elaborate materials? The seeming simplicity of the ink becomes a commentary on access and perhaps even resistance. Editor: That really makes me see the artwork in a new, richer way. Curator: Exactly!