No. 5 (Dai go), from the series Eight Scenic Places in Henan Province, China (Kanan hasshō) c. 19th century

Curator: Here we have "No. 5 (Dai go), from the series Eight Scenic Places in Henan Province, China (Kanan hasshō)" by Bunsei, held at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It’s a small woodblock print, quiet, almost muted in its tones. The looming mountain dwarfs the little structures nestled at its base. Curator: This print belongs to a tradition where landscapes often served as vehicles for exploring philosophical and social ideals about harmony with nature. Editor: The visible grain of the wood adds a tactile quality, reminding me of the labor involved. This was not just about representing scenery, but about a material process. How were these accessible to the common person? Curator: They circulated widely as affordable prints, shaping perceptions of these regions and reinforcing cultural narratives. Editor: Right, and the act of collecting and circulating these images also helped to define social status and aesthetic taste. Curator: Indeed. This work highlights the intersection of natural wonder and the societal structures that frame our experience of it. Editor: So true, seeing the raw material paired with such cultural relevance offers such deeper layers.