Printed Nō Plays with Calligraphy by Hon'ami Kōetsu (Kōetsu-bon Yōkyoku) in 7 volumes c. 1615

Editor: Here we have Printed Nō Plays with Calligraphy by Hon'ami Kōetsu, published by Suminokura Soan. The set is in seven volumes. I am struck by the texture of the paper and the gestural quality of the calligraphy. How do you interpret this work? Curator: These books represent a fascinating intersection of art, literature, and social status. The Nō plays were traditionally an aristocratic art form, weren't they? And here, Kōetsu’s calligraphy, already a highly refined art, is being reproduced and disseminated. What does this tell us about access, power, and the evolving role of art in society at the time? Editor: That’s a great point! I didn't consider the implications of reproduction and access. Curator: It makes you wonder about the intended audience and the socio-political context in which these books were created.