Seven Gods of Good Fortune (Shichifukujin), with poems by Raiyō-an, Asakusa-an, Asakura-an and Noki no Shirane Possibly 1809

Editor: This print by Hokusai, "Seven Gods of Good Fortune," depicts a gathering. It feels like a snapshot of a social event. What can you tell me about the context of this image? Curator: Hokusai's works, including this print, were often mass-produced and widely circulated. How might this reproducibility have impacted its social and cultural role? Was it meant for private contemplation or public consumption? Editor: I suppose both? It must have been accessible, yet meaningful on a personal level. Curator: Exactly. Consider the poems included. They add layers of meaning, suggesting collaboration and shared cultural values. What does this collaboration say about the art world at the time? Editor: It sounds like art and literature were deeply intertwined. I never considered how Hokusai's work reflects the cultural landscape. Curator: Indeed, it's through understanding the intersection of art, society, and accessibility that we can truly appreciate its depth.