One of Eight Printed Nō Plays published by Kōetsu (Kōetsu-bon Yōkyoku hachiban) c. 1610

Curator: Here we have "One of Eight Printed Nō Plays published by Kōetsu," created in the Early Edo period, published by Hon'ami Kōetsu. It's an open book, about 24 by 18 centimeters. Editor: It looks remarkably unrestrained; the brushwork has a real energetic flow. I wonder, what was the purpose of production? Curator: These were luxury editions of Noh plays, part of Kōetsu's broader artistic output—linking the high art of calligraphy with popular theatrical forms. The paper itself signifies a certain level of wealth and access to resources. Editor: It's fascinating how this bridges visual art and performance, while also hinting at social stratification via its materiality. It all speaks to an interesting intersection of culture and class. Curator: Absolutely; the form and the content really offer much insight into the social fabric of the era. Editor: Indeed, looking closer, it's quite an intimate glimpse into a specific time and place.