Famous Views of Edo (Tōto shōkei ichiran), 1st of 2 Volumes Possibly 1800

Editor: Here we have "Famous Views of Edo" by Katsushika Hokusai, part of a two-volume set. It's so delicate and detailed; the figures almost seem to float on the page. I wonder, what stories do you think Hokusai is trying to tell with this work? Curator: Ah, stories within stories, perhaps! For me, this feels like a gentle observation of daily life in Edo, capturing the quiet moments and the subtle connections between people and nature. Do you get a sense of the changing seasons, perhaps? Editor: I see what you mean! It has a very ephemeral quality. Thanks for making me look at it in a new way. Curator: My pleasure! Sometimes, it's about letting the artwork whisper its secrets.