FAMOUS WATERFALLS FROM THE VAROUS PROVINCES. "TOTO AOIGAOKA NO TAKI" 

Curator: Here we have Katsushika Hokusai's "Famous Waterfalls from the Various Provinces: Toto Aoigaoka no Taki," housed right here at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It’s so serene; I can almost feel the mist on my face. The composition is so clever, framing that incredible waterfall. Curator: Absolutely. Hokusai's emphasis on the everyday lives of people alongside these grand natural wonders encourages us to consider the relationship between humans and their environment. Look at the detail in the buildings and the rendering of the figures. Editor: It makes me think about the woodblock prints themselves, the labor involved in their creation. The artisans, the paper, the ink – all these hands working together to bring this image to life. And beyond labor, the print makes me ask, how do we perceive nature’s power? Curator: Exactly. The piece blurs those traditional boundaries between craft and art. The labor and materials are part of its artistic and historical significance. Editor: I see this waterfall as a symbol of resilience, a constant flow of energy and renewal. It makes me want to jump in and experience that vitality firsthand! Curator: I agree. Thinking about this piece, it reminds me how interconnected we are to the landscape. Editor: A nice reminder of nature's enduring presence and our place within it.