Anthology of Waka and Chinese Poems (Wakan rōei shÅ«) edited by Fujiwara Kintō (966-1041) 12th-14th century

Editor: Here we have the "Anthology of Waka and Chinese Poems," thought to be made by Sadanari Sesonji. It's ink on paper, and seeing it up close, I'm struck by the skill and labor involved in its creation. What can you tell me about this piece? Curator: Let's consider the material production of this work. The paper itself, the ink, even the brush—these were valuable commodities. How does the act of meticulously copying poems, a form of cultural production, reflect the social hierarchies of the time? Editor: So, it’s not just about the beauty of the calligraphy, but about who had access to these materials and the skills to create something like this? Curator: Precisely. It speaks to the social context of art making and consumption. It makes me wonder about the labor involved in sourcing the materials, preparing the ink, and the countless hours spent in transcription. It really challenges this idea of art as purely aesthetic. Editor: I see. Considering it from a production standpoint gives me a new appreciation for it.