History of the Hidden Protection in Japan and China (Wakan inshitsu den) 

Curator: This is a page from "History of the Hidden Protection in Japan and China," a book by Katsushika Hokusai, born in 1760. The illustrations use fine lines. The book is held at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It feels like a chaotic story unfolding, full of tension. The line work and composition have a restless energy. What kind of hidden protection is being depicted here? Curator: The narratives draw from both Japanese and Chinese cultural contexts, depicting various methods of self-defense, both physical and spiritual. We might consider these scenes as survival tactics reflecting societal anxieties. Editor: The sword imagery is unavoidable. I see how culturally, the sword isn't just a weapon, but a symbol of status, power, and even spiritual attainment. What does it mean to have it used as a tool for protection? Curator: In the context of Hokusai’s era, these images might reflect the socio-political unrest, the constant struggle for power, and the vulnerability of different social strata. Editor: Reflecting on it, the symbolic depictions give a glimpse into the historical and cultural values of these societies. Curator: Exactly, and that’s how visual art carries cultural memory and continuity.