One Hundred Views of Mount Fuji (Fugaku hyakkei), Vol. 2 Possibly 1875

Editor: This is a page from Hokusai's *One Hundred Views of Mount Fuji*, published as a woodblock printed book. The stark monochromatic imagery feels very modern. What stands out to you about the means of production of this artwork? Curator: The woodblock printing process itself is crucial. Consider the labor involved: the carving, the inking, the pressing. It democratized image production, moving away from singular artworks and towards mass consumption. How does that shift our understanding of art's value and accessibility? Editor: That's fascinating. I hadn't considered the social implications of the printing process itself. Thanks for pointing that out. Curator: My pleasure. It’s about acknowledging the materiality and the hands that shaped it.