Illustrated “Anthology of Tang-Dynasty Poems” in Five-Syllable Lines (Tōshisen ehon gogon ritsu hairitsu) 画本唐詩選五言律排律 1836

This illustrated book, “Anthology of Tang-Dynasty Poems,” was created by Katsushika Hokusai. The woodblock print, rendered in monochromatic lines, invites a reading of its structured composition and delicate details. Notice how Hokusai uses line and form to arrange figures and objects across the book’s open pages. The lines create a spatial depth, but do not rely on traditional perspective. See how the textures differentiate between the natural elements and the architectural structure. The dynamic positioning of the figures creates a contrast to the stoic architecture. The poem selection elevates the cultural discourse from the Tang Dynasty to the Edo period. The structure of the woodblock print allows for a semiotic reading, where visual elements act as signs to the intended narrative of the poem. Hokusai uses a structured visual language that is not fixed, but is open for interpretation.