Old Manji's Cursive Album (Manji-ō sōhitsu gafu) c. 1843

Editor: This woodblock print is from Katsushika Hokusai's *Old Manji's Cursive Album*. The creature, perhaps a lion, feels both imposing and fantastical. What stylistic elements strike you most about this composition? Curator: Note the diagonal rain lines, their repetition creates a formal pattern across the diptych, contrasting with the organic forms of the beast and landscape. The artist uses distinct color fields. Consider the interplay of line and form. Editor: So, the tension between the geometric rain and the organic figure is deliberate. Curator: Precisely. Hokusai masterfully uses these contrasting elements to create a dynamic visual experience. This tension, I believe, enhances the artwork's expressive power. Editor: I see it now. Focusing on those visual relationships really unlocks the work. Thanks!