Young Man Setting Out (Shōnen kō), from the series A True Mirror of Chinese and Japanese Poetry (Shika shashin kyō) c. 1833

Editor: This is Hokusai's "Young Man Setting Out," from his series *A True Mirror of Chinese and Japanese Poetry*. It feels so vibrant, like a snapshot of a journey. What do you see in this piece? Curator: I see a meditation on transition and identity. The young man’s departure can be read as a metaphor for the challenges young people face to find their place in society. How does the landscape mirror his emotional state, do you think? Editor: That's interesting. The path does seem winding and uncertain. It makes you wonder where he's going and what he's leaving behind. I hadn't thought of the landscape as symbolic! Curator: Exactly. And consider the historical context, the social mobility, or lack thereof, for young men in Hokusai's time. His journey reflects a broader cultural narrative. Editor: That gives me a lot to think about, thank you! Curator: Likewise, this conversation helped me consider new perspectives.