Woman Writing by Sake Barrel / Rihaku (Li Bai / Li Bo), from the series Eight Drinking Immortals (Inchu hassen) c. 1805

Editor: This is "Woman Writing by Sake Barrel" by Hokusai, from the series "Eight Drinking Immortals." It's a beautiful woodblock print. The textures and patterns really stand out. What can you tell me about the way Hokusai used the materials available to him? Curator: Hokusai's work often bridges the gap between the elite arts and everyday life. The sake barrel itself, prominently displayed, speaks to the materials and consumption habits of the time. What does the act of writing, coupled with the presence of sake, tell us about the social context surrounding artistic creation? Editor: So, the material culture – the sake, the paper, even the woodblocks – informs the meaning of the piece? Curator: Precisely. By considering the means of production and consumption, we gain insight into Hokusai's commentary on society, labor, and the artistic process itself. Editor: I hadn't thought about the social implications of the materials themselves before! Curator: Considering these elements gives us an understanding of Hokusai's worldview.