Purple Inkstone of the Ming Dynasty (Minchō shiken) in 3 volumes; after “Living Garden of Ming-dynasty Paintingâ€?(Minchō Seidō Gaen) originally published by Ooka Shumboku (1680-1763) in 1746 c. 19th century

Curator: Looking at this bright yellow cover, I'm immediately struck by its clean simplicity. It almost feels like a minimalist painting. Editor: Indeed. This is "Purple Inkstone of the Ming Dynasty" in three volumes, after "Living Garden of Ming-dynasty Painting." It was re-published by Hishiya Magobei, following Ooka Shumboku's original from 1746. Curator: So, it's a reproduction of a garden catalogue, essentially? I'm interested in the labor involved in recreating these images, the materiality of the woodblocks, and how that affects consumption. Editor: Absolutely. Consider the social context: the desire to access the artistry of the Ming Dynasty, filtered through a later Japanese lens. It speaks to cultural exchange and the persistent allure of the past. Curator: The choices in production materials speak to the tastes and class structures of the time. Editor: The act of reproduction and circulation creates new meanings within a broader network of power and influence. Thank you for highlighting that interplay. Curator: It makes you wonder how these books were traded and consumed in their own time. Editor: Precisely, and how access to beauty, knowledge, and cultural heritage were often intertwined with complex social dynamics.