Illustrations of Japan's Famous Mountains (Nihon meizan zufu), 1st of 3 Volumes Possibly 1804

Editor: This is Tani Bunchō's "Illustrations of Japan's Famous Mountains," from the early 19th century. It’s a book, opened to a two-page spread. The starkness of the ink gives the mountains a powerful presence. What do you see in this piece? Curator: Well, these illustrations were created during a time of growing national consciousness in Japan. Bunchō, working within the confines of the Tokugawa shogunate, likely sought to visually map and celebrate the Japanese landscape, thus reinforcing a sense of national identity through depictions of specific, iconic mountains. Editor: So, the political climate influenced the subject matter? Curator: Precisely. The act of documenting these landscapes also highlights the social role of art. How might the accessibility of a printed book, compared to a singular painting, affect its reception and impact? Editor: I hadn't considered the wider distribution. I guess this book helped people connect with their country. Curator: Exactly. It gives us a window into the art's intended purpose.