Illustrated Collection of Old Tales (Iwaki e-zukushi), Volume 3 Possibly 1683

Editor: This is a page from Hishikawa Moronobu’s “Illustrated Collection of Old Tales,” a woodblock print. It feels like a glimpse into a lively, perhaps chaotic, scene. What symbolic weight do you think these images carry? Curator: Notice how figures are arranged within defined spaces, perhaps representing societal roles. Do you see how the monkey's presence disrupts the order? It could symbolize the untamed aspects of human nature, a reminder that chaos always lurks beneath the surface of civilization. Editor: That's fascinating. So the monkey acts as a symbol of…disruption? Curator: Precisely. Think about the stories these images might be illustrating. What recurring themes about order, chaos, and human nature might they explore? Editor: I hadn't thought about it that way. Thank you!