FIVE IN SERIES OF THE HISAGATAYA CLUB (MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS.) "GIRL WITH FLUTE" 

Editor: So, this woodblock print, "Girl with Flute," by Yashima Gakutei, seems to emphasize patterns and textiles. It's beautiful, but what about the materials and the making of this print stands out to you? Curator: Look closely at the patterns. The artist uses distinct blocks for each color, implying a layered, labor-intensive process. Each pattern—floral, geometric—suggests different sources and markets for these designs. Editor: So, it's less about the woman herself and more about the economics of the materials used to depict her? Curator: Exactly! How does understanding the production methods change your appreciation of the work? Editor: It makes me think about the role of artisans and the commercial aspects of artmaking, not just aesthetic beauty. Curator: Precisely. It's about valuing the labor and materiality, challenging the idea of art as solely high-brow. Editor: I'll definitely look at prints differently now, focusing on their material history.