Surimono maken voor Nieuwjaar 1825

Editor: This is "Surimono Making for the New Year," a woodblock print created around 1825 by Katsushika Hokusai. I'm really drawn to how intimate and almost mundane the scene is, showing the labour involved in creating something celebratory. The characters seem so engrossed. What catches your eye? Curator: Ah, a glimpse behind the curtain! It's like catching the muses on their day off, isn't it? For me, it’s all about the quiet dedication in those bowed heads. Hokusai isn’t just showing us the making of a print, he's inviting us into a little domestic drama. You almost hear the soft scratching of tools, wouldn't you agree? Editor: I do, but the text feels just as prominent, weaving through the image. Is that integral to understanding it? Curator: Absolutely! In Surimono, poetry and image are inseparable, like mischievous twins. The calligraphy here isn't merely decorative; it carries auspicious verses, layered meanings, jokes… perhaps even mild gossip! Imagine them scribbling away, injecting wishes for prosperity into every delicate line. Can you sense their glee? Editor: Definitely getting the buzz of anticipation now. It feels like the picture plane becomes activated by their focus and intent. Curator: Precisely! That everyday magic is what makes Hokusai so relatable, wouldn’t you say? Even across centuries and cultures, we connect with the human touch – the careful hand, the wishful thought embedded in the work. What a treat! Editor: It really transforms how I see not only this print but how intention permeates so many other works of art. Thank you! Curator: My pleasure. Perhaps next year, we shall try printing our own fortunes!