Travelers Waling by a Well/ Ōtsu, from the series Exhaustive Illustrations of the Fifty-Three Stations of the Tōkaidō (Tōkaidō gojÅ«santsugi ezukushi) Possibly 1810

Editor: So, this woodblock print is called "Travelers Walking by a Well," from Hokusai’s "Fifty-Three Stations of the Tōkaidō" series. It feels… lighthearted, almost playful. What do you see in this image? Curator: It's more than playful, it's alive! Imagine, the Tōkaidō road was the highway of its time. These travelers are engaging with the Ohtsu specialty which is the pilgrim doll. Can you imagine the feeling of making a pilgrimage and being caught in the moment? Editor: That’s true. The detail in such a small piece is amazing. Curator: Absolutely! It's about capturing a fleeting moment, a shared experience on a well-worn path. What does it say to you? Editor: It makes me want to hit the road, experience new things with friends. Curator: Me too. It reminds us that even ordinary journeys can be extraordinary, if we are present for it.