Great Illustrated Encyclopedia, Revised and Enlarged (Sōbo tōsho kinmō zui taisei), vol. 7 Possibly 1789

Curator: Here we have volume seven of Nakamura Tekisai’s "Great Illustrated Encyclopedia, Revised and Enlarged." Look at these delicate depictions of insects. Editor: My first impression is one of stillness, a kind of entomological tranquility. The composition is spare, yet somehow teeming with life. Curator: It’s remarkable how these encyclopedia illustrations functioned in society, standardizing knowledge and shaping perspectives on the natural world. Editor: Absolutely. The dragonfly, for example, often symbolized summer and change in Japanese art. I wonder what cultural nuances these insects carried for viewers at the time? Curator: Considering the rise of natural sciences during the Edo period, it’s possible they reflect a growing desire to classify and control nature. Editor: Perhaps. Or maybe it's the simple enduring fascination with the miniature dramas playing out in our gardens. Curator: Yes, a vital reminder that the pursuit of knowledge is always influenced by social and cultural currents.