Under Mannen Bridge at Fukagawa (Fukagawa Mannen-bashi no shita), from the series Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji (Fugaku sanjÅ«rokkei) c. 1831

Editor: This is "Under Mannen Bridge at Fukagawa" by Hokusai, part of the Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji series. The woodblock print really emphasizes the bridge's striking form. What can you tell me about it? Curator: Consider how the printmaking process, specifically woodblock printing, allowed for mass production and wider consumption of these images. This is not just about aesthetics but also about the democratization of art. Notice how labor and material processes are key here. Editor: That’s a completely different way of seeing it. I never thought of it as mass production! Curator: Indeed. The print's value stems not only from its artistry, but also its accessibility and role in shaping perceptions of Japan and Mount Fuji for both local and international audiences. Editor: That shifts the focus from pure aesthetics to the social context of its making. Curator: Precisely! It reveals much about art's function and reception.