Illustrated Guide to Kyoto (Kyō-suzume) Possibly 1665

Editor: Here we have a page from "Illustrated Guide to Kyoto," or "Kyō-suzume," by Asai Ryōi. It seems to be printed on paper, with simple black ink drawings and text. What stands out to you about it? Curator: I notice the depiction of labor and craft. Look at the tools and processes represented. What does this tell us about the means of production and the social context of this guide's creation and consumption? How does it blur the boundaries between art and everyday life? Editor: It’s interesting to think of this as documenting labor, I was more focused on it being an artifact. Curator: Exactly! The materiality of the book itself and the images of artisans at work highlight the connection between art, labor, and the consumption of culture. Editor: I now see that studying the materials and the depicted actions gives us a better understanding of its historical context.