Tōdai-ji, the Shōsō-in Possibly 1941

Curator: Here we have Unichi Hiratsuka's woodblock print, titled "Tōdai-ji, the Shōsō-in," now residing at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It's striking! The high contrast and dense texture create such a powerful sense of depth and weight. I'm particularly drawn to the artist's use of negative space. Curator: Absolutely. Hiratsuka played a significant role in the sōsaku-hanga movement, emphasizing the artist's complete control over the printmaking process. His style moved away from traditional ukiyo-e towards a more personal expression. Editor: The choice of woodblock is so fitting. You can almost feel the hand of the artist in the carving, the deliberate marks shaping the very essence of the Tōdai-ji temple. There is evidence of labor, a repetitive action. Curator: Indeed. This print reflects the shift toward individual artistry within the broader context of early 20th-century Japanese art, influenced by Western modernism. Editor: Thinking about the temple as a physical structure, its monumental presence rendered through such an accessible, reproducible medium... it democratizes the sacred. Curator: That’s a keen observation. Seeing Hiratsuka's print encourages us to consider the changing role of religious architecture in modern society. Editor: And how the very act of making art is a vital engagement with both history and material. Curator: Precisely. Thank you.