Picture Book of Ogura Hill 1749

This is a page from "Picture Book of Ogura Hill" made by Nishikawa Sukenobu in Japan during the 18th century. The book presents pastoral scenes alongside Japanese poetry. The two pages use simple lines to depict people working in a field and walking along a mountain path. During the Edo period in Japan, there was a renewed interest in Japanese classical literature and culture, and this book is part of that trend. The inclusion of poetry suggests a desire to connect with the past and to find beauty in everyday life. Woodblock printing was widely accessible and the book can be seen as an expression of a rising merchant class who had the means to engage in art. These books played an important role in shaping the visual culture of the time. By studying the history of printmaking, literature, and social class in Edo-period Japan, we can begin to understand the complex cultural forces that shaped this book and its place in society. This kind of research allows us to appreciate the significance of art as a reflection of its time.