Poet Taira no Kanemori (?-990) from page 9B of the printed book of "Thirty-Six Immortal Poets" (SanjÅ«rokkasen), Kōetsu edition c. 1610

Editor: Here we have "Poet Taira no Kanemori" from the "Thirty-Six Immortal Poets," made with calligraphy by Hon'ami Kōetsu during the Momoyama period. It's a woodblock print, and I’m really drawn to the combination of the figure and the calligraphy. What can you tell me about its historical context? Curator: Well, these printed books were significant. They democratized access to classical poetry and portraits of famous poets. How do you think this affected the perception of these cultural icons? Editor: I guess it made them more accessible, less like untouchable figures. It’s interesting how printmaking allowed for wider cultural engagement. Curator: Precisely. And consider the role of Kōetsu, a versatile artist, in shaping the visual language of this cultural phenomenon. The political implications of imagery are fascinating, aren't they? Editor: Absolutely. Seeing how art history is so intertwined with cultural dissemination has really changed my perspective.