Poet ōshikōchi no Mitsune from page 1B of the printed book of "Thirty-Six Immortal Poets" (SanjÅ«rokkasen), Kōetsu edition c. 1610

Editor: This is a page from "Thirty-Six Immortal Poets," specifically Poet ōshikōchi no Mitsune, printed in the Momoyama period with calligraphy by Hon'ami Kōetsu. It’s fascinating how the artist combined image and text on a single page. What can we tell about the means of production from the visual materials used? Curator: The Kōetsu edition, known for its collaborative nature, brings together calligraphy, block printing, and paper production, representing a fusion of labor. Consider the materials: the paper itself, likely crafted through traditional methods involving significant manual work, and the ink, carefully prepared. The printing process, involving carved woodblocks, demanded specialized craftsmanship. How does understanding these production elements alter our perception of the work's value? Editor: It makes me consider it less as a spontaneous work of genius and more as a product of collective expertise and material constraints. Thank you, that’s insightful. Curator: Indeed, it emphasizes the socio-economic context inherent in art production.