THE FOUR WALKS IN LIFE-THE SAMURAI, FARMER, ARTISAN AND MERCHANT. "THE ARTISAN" 

Editor: This print, "The Artisan" by Teisai Hokuba, is part of a series called "The Four Walks in Life." The objects depicted seem almost like clues, hinting at the artisan's trade. How do you interpret these symbolic objects? Curator: Consider the artisan's tools – the fan, the chisel, even the discarded hat. They aren't merely objects, but vessels of cultural memory. The setting sun on the fan, alongside the tools, evokes ideas of labor, tradition, and the cycle of daily life. Does this resonate with you? Editor: Absolutely, the setting sun adds a sense of closure but also continuity. It's a fascinating way to represent a profession through its associated symbols. Curator: Indeed. Hokuba uses these objects to explore the artisan's place within society and the emotional weight of their craft. We can see in these objects a reflection of a person's life, can't we?