Taira no Koremochi, from the series Twenty-Four Generals for the Katsushika Circle (Katsushika nijÅ«shishō) c. 1821

Curator: Yashima Gakutei, active in the early 19th century, created this print, "Taira no Koremochi, from the series Twenty-Four Generals for the Katsushika Circle." It's a woodblock print on paper, small but striking. Editor: It feels like a secret encounter. The woman's veiled, the man's offering something...a drink? There's a dreamy, otherworldly quality. Curator: This work references a famous Noh play, Momijigari. Koremochi, a warrior, encounters a beautiful woman who is actually a mountain witch in disguise. The print is steeped in the aesthetics of desire, illusion, and hidden identities. Editor: I love the patterning. The fan motifs on the man's robe, the blossoms on the woman's cloak—it's a visual feast. Is it a commentary on how appearances can deceive? Curator: Precisely. The print engages with complex themes of gender and power, illustrating the dangers lurking beneath seductive surfaces and societal expectations. Editor: It’s much darker than it appears at first glance. I think I’ll remember this one.