Bag of Historical Treasures and People of Japan and China (Ehon shahō-bukuro), 9th of 10 Volumes Possibly 1770

Curator: This image is from a collection titled "Bag of Historical Treasures and People of Japan and China," specifically the ninth volume. The artist is Tachibana Morikuni, who lived from 1679 to 1748. Editor: Wow, it's got such an intense, almost unsettling vibe. The tiger's stare combined with those stark lines depicting rain…it feels ominous. Curator: Morikuni was working during the Edo period, a time of relative peace but also strict social hierarchies. Depictions of tigers, though not native to Japan, were often symbolic of strength, courage, and even warding off evil. Editor: I can see that! There's a real sense of power emanating from that tiger, even in this relatively small woodblock print. It's like it's guarding something important. Curator: Indeed. The juxtaposition with the landscape scene on the opposite page, with its flowing river and what seems to be rainfall, might be alluding to the tiger’s symbolic power over natural forces. Also, there’s Japanese text, likely a poem, that needs to be considered in order to comprehend the complete context. Editor: It makes you wonder about the stories and beliefs woven into these images, doesn't it? It's far more than just a pretty picture. I feel like I've only scratched the surface. Curator: Agreed. Approaching art requires that we delve into the historical, social, and cultural contexts from which the piece was conceived.