Kōrin Picture Album Possibly 1802

This is a woodblock printed book, titled ‘Kōrin Picture Album’, created by Nakamura Hōchū in Japan during the Edo period. The album is a reproduction of designs by Ogata Kōrin, a famous artist from the previous generation. Woodblock printing was an established industry at this time, and the production of printed books played an important role in the dissemination of knowledge and art. While it reflects respect for an older master, this album is not just a slavish copy; Hōchū also showed his own creative skill through the addition of different colors and decorative elements. This suggests that the relationship between artistic tradition and individual innovation was complex, and artistic institutions in Japan were open to both preservation and evolution. Art historians can look at other examples of Japanese prints, books, and design objects from the Edo period to understand the social and cultural background to Hōchū's work.