Travelers Passing a Village/ Yui, from the series Exhaustive Illustrations of the Fifty-Three Stations of the Tōkaidō (Tōkaidō gojÅ«santsugi ezukushi) Possibly 1810

Editor: This is *Travelers Passing a Village/ Yui*, by Hokusai, from the series *Exhaustive Illustrations of the Fifty-Three Stations of the Tōkaidō*. It feels so intimate, almost like a secret world. What do you see in this piece? Curator: Ah, Hokusai! I see a journey, not just across the landscape, but into the heart of Japan. Notice how the stylized clouds almost cradle the scene, like a memory being held dear. Do you feel that sense of stillness despite the travelers? Editor: I do. It's like they're part of the landscape itself. Curator: Precisely! Hokusai blurs the line between human and nature, suggesting a harmonious coexistence. It's a reminder that even in passing, we leave a trace, and the world leaves its mark on us. A beautiful dance, don't you think? Editor: Absolutely. It's given me a whole new perspective on Hokusai. Curator: And me on journeys!