Great Illustrated Encyclopedia, Revised and Enlarged (Sōbo tōsho kinmō zui taisei), vol. 5 Possibly 1789

Curator: This open book, held in the collections of the Harvard Art Museums, presents an illustration from the "Great Illustrated Encyclopedia, Revised and Enlarged" by Nakamura Tekisai. Editor: I'm immediately drawn in by the density of detail; it feels like a glimpse into someone's organized mind, cataloging the world one vase and pot at a time. Curator: This book gives us a window into the Edo period's cultural landscape. It’s an example of how knowledge was codified and disseminated. How might this relate to identity formation during this time? Editor: It makes me think about how objects become symbols. Each vase, each container, hints at ritual, daily life, and even social status. It's more than just drawings; it’s a cultural fingerprint. Curator: Absolutely, and analyzing these objects through a contemporary lens allows us to question historical power structures and the representation of everyday life. Editor: Thinking about this encyclopedia, I feel like my own creative process is a similar act of collecting, arranging, and then presenting things back to the world in a new order. Curator: Indeed, and understanding the historical context enables us to engage more critically with both the artwork and our present.